Australia Plans New Israel Sanctions as 12 Countries Back West Bank Settlement Trade Curbs
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 9
Australia Plans New Israel Sanctions as 12 Countries Back West Bank Settlement Trade Curbs
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 9
Summary
Australia is preparing another round of targeted sanctions on Israel over West Bank settlements and settler violence, but Penny Wong said Canberra is not pursuing a blanket ban on goods from the settlements.
Wong said the measures aim to deter illegal settlements while avoiding unintended consequences for Australian businesses, Palestinians and Israelis, even as she accused Israel's government of extinguishing the possibility of a two-state solution.
The split comes after the UK announced its toughest step yet — banning goods from illegal settlements, adding export and arms-licence restrictions, and planning sanctions on individuals.
A joint statement from 12 countries including Canada, France, Spain and the UK said they intend to introduce or are considering national or European trade restrictions on settlement goods.
The move lands amid already strained Australia-Israel ties after the Gaza war, earlier Australian sanctions on some Israelis and two Netanyahu ministers, and domestic pressure for Canberra to go further.