A group of international foreign ministers, including Australia’s Penny Wong, have announced collective sanctions against Israeli “extremist violent settlers” in the West Bank.
The latest sanctions include individuals living on settlements that are illegal under international law, and the organisations that set the illegal settlements up.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the sanctions “disgraceful”.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Australia recognised the state of Palestine in 2025, which includes both Gaza and the West Bank.
In 2024, the International Court of Justice found Israeli settlements in the West Bank are unlawful.
The Australian Government has repeatedly stated its agreement with the ICJ’s position on these settlements.
This week, the UN Human Rights Council released a report into the conditions of Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza.
UN data shows that from January 2023 to December 2025, Israeli settlers killed at least 30 Palestinians and injured 1,570 in the West Bank.
The report states Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (sanctioned by Australia) and Defence Minister Israel Katz “condoned settler violence as an instrument to achieve a broader agenda”.
It also found Hamas-affiliated forces were responsible for “violent acts” in Gaza, and noted previous findings that Hamas was “responsible for... war crimes.”
The report recommended the Israeli Government:
End the unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory;
Cease all new settlements and remove all settlers/settlements;
Ensure Palestinians’ protection from settler violence; and
Stop settlers from recruiting or exploiting Israeli children.
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It also provides Palestinian and Gazan authorities with recommendations, as well as all UN member states.
This includes a direction to investigate individuals or groups suspected of engaging in violence against Palestinians.
Sanctions
Sanctions can involve financial restrictions and travel bans imposed on individuals, organisations, or states.
Australia has previously ordered sanctions against Israeli Cabinet ministers, settlers and organisations.
Last week, Penny Wong announced travel bans and financial restrictions on three Israeli individuals and four entities.
On Tuesday, foreign ministers from Australia, Canada, France, Norway and the UK released a joint statement about their collective efforts to sanction “extremist violent settlers”.
“They use violence to displace Palestinians, destroy property and perpetuate the illegal settlement enterprise, undermining the viability of the State of Palestine and the prospects for peaceful coexistence.”
A joint statement from international foreign ministers, including Penny Wong
Israel
On Tuesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it “firmly rejects” the sanctions, labelling them “disgraceful measures”.
The statement called them an “attempt to impose a political stance regarding the right of Jews to live in the Land of Israel”.
“Anti-Israeli policies of the kind adopted today only serve to fuel... antisemitism,” it said.
