Canada imposes fresh sanctions over escalating settler violence in West Bank

The new measures designate two individuals and five entities under Canada's Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations for allegedly facilitating, supporting, funding or contributing to violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians and their property, Global Affairs Canada said.

The latest sanctions come amid mounting international concern over rising violence in the West Bank. According to the United Nations, at least 1,800 attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians were recorded in 2025, making it the most violent year on record.

"Extremist settler violence is further destabilising the West Bank, driving the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and undermining the viability of a two-state solution, as well as broader regional peace and security," the Canadian government said in a statement.

Canada said it coordinated the latest measures with international partners, joining Australia, France, Norway and the United Kingdom in responding to what it described as a recent escalation of attacks by extremist settlers and their affiliates in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The government reiterated its opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories and reaffirmed support for a negotiated two-state solution.

Including the latest designations, Canada has sanctioned 19 individuals and 12 entities through five rounds of measures since introducing the regulations in May 2024.

Ottawa also reiterated that it does not recognise permanent Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967 and said Israeli settlements remain a violation of international law under the Fourth Geneva Convention and United Nations Security Council resolutions.