World Zionist Organization removed from Canada sanctions draft

An organization that works with the Israeli government to help expand settlements in the occupied West Bank was on a draft list of entities Canada planned to sanction, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. The World Zionist Organization was set to appear on the list published by Global Affairs last Tuesday but did not make the final version.

The sources were not authorized to speak publicly about the dossier.

Background on sanctions Canada considers the expansion of West Bank settlements illegal under international law. The published sanctions list cited cooperation with Norway, France, Australia and the United Kingdom. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand posted on social media that Canada continues to oppose the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

NGO advocacy Non-governmental organizations have pressed for sanctions on the World Zionist Organization. A coalition including Amnesty International Australia lobbied the Australian government in February to apply sanctions during a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The coalition stated the targeted actors play a central role in the dispossession and displacement of Palestinian civilians and the expansion of illegal settlements.

Other entities sanctioned The final Canadian sanctions list includes two individuals associated with a construction company called Libi, the company itself, and four other organizations. One of those organizations, Regavim, has said it intends to sue the Canadian government and the European Union.

Canada previously sanctioned far-right Israeli cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir last year, along with Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time that the sanctions did not advance efforts to obtain a ceasefire.