Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Sunday announced that Canada will impose sanctions on Israeli settlements who instigate violence in the West Bank, as well as additional penalties on Hamas officials, after similar action by the United States last week, news agency Reuters reported.
Earlier on Thursday, US imposed sanctions on four Israeli men who were allegedly involved in perpetrating violence in the occupied terrirtory. In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday, Joly stated that certain settlers "will be sanctioned" and that "we will also bring new sanctions on Hamas leaders".
While speaking from Ukraine, Joly stated: "We're working actively on it. I'm making sure that while I'm in Ukraine, the work is being done in Ottawa and I look forward to doing an announcement soon."
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that he was contemplating slapping penalties on "extremist" settlements in the West Bank.
Since the 1967 Middle East conflict, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians demand as the foundation of an independent state. It has established Jewish colonies there, which most nations consider illegal. Israel opposes this claim, citing historical and biblical links to the territory.
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The West Bank has already experienced the worst levels of unrest in decades in the 18 months preceding Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7. Confrontations have escalated since Israeli soldiers started their military attack in Gaza.