Six Nations Impose Coordinated Sanctions on Israeli Settlers

A coalition consisting of France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway implemented coordinated sanctions on June 9, 2026, targeting networks and individuals financing violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and director disqualifications. France specifically barred Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, four settler organization leaders, and 21 violent settlers from entering the country, citing Smotrich's promotion of West Bank annexation and the re-colonization of Gaza. This follows a May 23 ban on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced sanctions against six entities, including the Farms Association and Eyal Hari Yehuda, and one individual. The UK also issued unprecedented business guidance advising citizens and companies to avoid economic activity in illegal settlements and pledged £10 million in assistance to the Palestinian Authority and £1 million for humanitarian demining in Gaza.

The Government of Israel condemned the measures as disgraceful and politically motivated attempts to restrict Jewish settlement rights. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar argued the sanctions fuel antisemitism and ignore Palestinian Authority incitement. Simultaneously, Amnesty International published a report accusing Israel of a state-sponsored campaign of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, claiming 5,910 Palestinians were forcibly displaced between 2023 and 2026. The organization criticized the international sanctions as insufficient half-measures that fail to hold senior Israeli officials accountable.