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In brief
- Australia has sanctioned Israeli settler farms in the West Bank for the first time.
- The sanction list includes far-right extremist Ben Zion Gopstein, whose organisation has been sanctioned since 2001.
For the first time, Australia has imposed sanctions on Israeli settler farming outposts in the West Bank, responding to the rising violence in the Palestinian territories.
This recent diplomatic move targets four settler farming outposts and three individuals and comes into effect on Tuesday. It adds to a growing list of sanctions against hardline Israeli figures.
Previously, the Australian government had taken action against Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, following his viral video confrontation with pro-Palestine activists back in May.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the necessity for Israel to fulfill its international law commitments and swiftly address the issue of settler violence.
“Violence by settlers is a tool for displacing Palestinians and furthering settlement expansion, marked by property destruction, family displacement, physical assaults, sexual violence, and torture, leading to severe injuries and fatalities,” Wong stated on Tuesday.
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“The individuals and entities sanctioned today have undermined Israel’s own security and its standing in the world and harmed the interests of the Israeli people.
“Australia’s imposition of sanctions against them reflects our commitment to Israel and Palestine’s security and future.”
Israeli settlements in the West Bank have been found to be illegal under international law. Israel disputes that finding.
Four settler farming outposts — Moshe’s Farm, Meitarim Farm, Neria’s Farm and Zvi’s farm — which have served as a base for extremist Israelis who’ve attacked Palestinians, are included in the sanctions list.
The sanctions also include Ben Zion Gopstein, the founder of far-right extremist organisation Lehava, which the government says promotes Jewish supremacist ideology.
His organisation has been sanctioned by Australia since 2001.
Extremist settlers Eden Levi and Moshe Sharvit, both of whom Australia says have engaged in attacks and intimidation of Palestinians, have also been sanctioned.
The restrictions mean the men are no longer allowed to enter Australia and it is illegal for an Australian to give them money or assets.
Wong said Australia had coordinated with partners, including New Zealand, in imposing the measures.
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