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France has announced sanctions on 28 Israelis, accusing them of committing human rights abuses against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and barring them from entering the country.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced these measures, stating, “These measures come as violence perpetrated by settlers against the Palestinian population has increased in recent months. France reaffirms its firm condemnation of this unacceptable violence.” This move aligns with France’s stance that “Colonisation is illegal under international law and must stop,” emphasizing the necessity of a viable Palestinian state for lasting peace and security between Israelis and Palestinians.

The sanctions come amidst a broader international outcry against violence in the West Bank against Palestinians, with the United States and the United Kingdom having announced similar measures. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron specifically addressed the issue, saying, “Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behavior is illegal and unacceptable.”

According to the United Nations, there have been “516 settler attacks since the onset of renewed conflict in Gaza,” with significant casualties on both sides.

Digging Deeper:
The presence of at least 700,000 Israelis in settlements across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, deemed illegal under international law, fuels tensions. Reports from the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din point to a systemic failure to hold settlers accountable, with police investigations lacking in over 81% of cases.