France bars Israeli finance minister from entering country
France announced a travel ban on Israel's finance minister and 25 others linked to West Bank settlement activity. The United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway have also imposed sanctions on settlement-linked groups.
EuronewsFrance has banned Israel's finance minister from entering the country and extended the prohibition to four leaders of settler organizations and 21 settlers. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the decision on Tuesday. He stated that the finance minister actively promotes annexation of the West Bank, creation of new settlements, re-colonisation of Gaza, and economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority.
Coordinated sanctions by multiple countries The United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway have announced parallel measures targeting individuals and organizations connected to settlement activity and violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Britain's foreign secretary told parliament that the government is urging British businesses and citizens to avoid financial dealings linked to Israeli settlements. She added that violent settler groups should not profit from land seized from Palestinians.
A foreign ministry spokesman called the sanctions disgraceful and said they represent an attempt to impose a political position on Israel regarding settlement rights. Last year, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also sanctioned both ministers over accusations of inciting violence.
