U.S. condemns Canada, 4 other nations over Israeli sanctions
The United States has expressed its condemnation towards Canada and four other countries for imposing sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers accused of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Canada, along with the U.K., Norway, Australia, and New Zealand, decided to sanction Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for their extremist rhetoric and promotion of forced displacement of Palestinians.
In response to the sanctions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the countries to reverse their decision, stating that the sanctions do not align with the United States’ efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the region and bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Rubio also emphasized that Hamas should be held accountable for disrupting the peace of Gaza civilians and urged the countries to remember who the real enemy is.
Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed outrage at the sanctions, calling them unjust and unwarranted. He announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would convene a meeting to discuss a response to the sanctions imposed on the two ministers. Sa’ar defended the ministers, stating that they have not incited violence but have been advocating for the security and interests of Israel.
The joint statement issued by the five countries accused Ben-Gvir and Smotrich of promoting extremist settler violence and posing a threat to the long-term safety of both Israelis and Palestinians. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand reiterated Canada’s commitment to a two-state solution and stated that the sanctions were targeted at individuals who contribute to extremist settler violence, not the state of Israel itself.
The NDP foreign affairs critic, Heather McPherson, called for broader sanctions on senior members of Netanyahu’s government, accusing them of genocide in Gaza. However, Anand maintained that Canada’s focus was on the two ministers who promoted extremist violence and called for an end to their actions.
The sanctioned individuals are now considered inadmissible to Canada, and Canadian individuals and organizations are prohibited from conducting business with them. This move comes after months of failed attempts to address forced Palestinian displacement and violent acts with the Israeli government, leading to the decision to impose sanctions on the ministers.
The ongoing conflict in the region and the suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid, have prompted international condemnation and calls for action. Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with other world leaders, has voiced concern over the situation in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The threat of further sanctions looms if concrete actions are not taken to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure the safety and security of all parties involved.
