Japan has imposed asset freezes on four Israeli settlers for their involvement in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said. Hayashi added that violence by some Israeli settlers in the West Bank has increased significantly since last October.

He explained that in light of this situation, and taking into account the steps taken by the G7 countries and others, Japan has decided to designate the four Israeli settlers involved in the violence as targets for asset freeze. Hayashi said: “Japan will regularly implement these asset freeze measures, and will continue to strongly urge the Israeli government to fully freeze settlement activities in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.”

Britain, the United States and Canada have imposed sanctions on some Israeli settlers in response to the escalation of violence in the West Bank amid the Israeli war on Gaza.