Israeli News Paper: The international community sets boundaries between Israel and the illegal settlement project

The French decision to impose sanctions on 28 settlers involved in incidents of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is a step in the right direction on the part of the international community. According to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these steps came in response to the increase in settler violence since the outbreak of the war, and it is Israel's duty "to end this situation and prosecute those behind this violence."

France is not the first country to move in this direction, which also includes preventing the entry of extremist settlers involved in acts of violence against Palestinians into its territory. This month, US President Joe Biden issued an order allowing the imposition of sanctions on settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. In the first stage, sanctions were imposed on 4 settlers, one of whom, according to the US administration, was the one who led the riots in Huwwara.

Britain also announced the imposition of economic sanctions on 4 settlers involved in violence against Palestinians, and prevented them from entering its territory. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “We must be clear about what is happening here. Extremist settlers are threatening Palestinians, sometimes with weapons, and expelling them from their land, which is legally theirs.” In his opinion, Israel is not making enough efforts to put an end to the violence.

The wave of sanctions on settlers will not stop with France. The European Union is expected to decide soon whether to impose sanctions on extremist settlers who attacked Palestinians. Of course, this decision requires consensus by the Union’s foreign ministers, and it is not clear whether all countries will support it. The European Union's official in charge of foreign relations, Joseph Borrell, announced at the beginning of December that Brussels would propose to the EU member states to impose sanctions on activists from the Israeli extreme right involved in acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. He said: "It is time to move from words to actions, and start taking steps regarding violence against the Palestinian population in the West Bank."

Canada is also considering taking a similar step; The Canadian Foreign Minister said this month that the Ottawa government intends to impose sanctions on extremist settlers, as well as on Hamas leaders.

The international community made a correct decision when it decided to set clear boundaries between the legitimate State of Israel and the illegal settlement project that undermines Israel's legitimacy. Not distinguishing between sovereign Israel and the occupied territories serves those dreaming of annexing the West Bank and imposing apartheid. For anyone who wants to live in a state that does not control another people, steps like these, along with international recognition of a Palestinian state, will advance the future realization of a two-state solution for two peoples.