Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada will impose sanctions on “extremist” Israeli settlers and Hamas leaders in the Palestinian territories.
In an interview with rosemary burton live Jolie said the government was “actively engaged” during her trip to Ukraine, where she met with Ukrainian officials and visited sites affected by the ongoing war there.
“We’re going to impose sanctions on extremist settlers and new sanctions on Hamas leaders,” Joly told CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton.
“While I was in Ukraine, I saw work being done in Ottawa and look forward to making an announcement soon.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Canada is considering options to place restrictions on some Israelis living in illegal settlements in the West Bank.
“Settler violence in the West Bank is completely unacceptable and endangers peace. [and] It’s a path to regional stability and a two-state solution that is absolutely essential,” he told reporters after an event in Waterloo, Ont.
Canada will follow the lead of the United States, which this week announced a second round of sanctions against four people it accused of inciting and carrying out violence against Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the West Bank.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, “This violence poses a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank, Israel, and the Middle East, and is a serious threat to national security and U.S. foreign policy interests.” is threatening,” he said. statement.
Violence has escalated in the Palestinian territories since war broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7, when a Hamas-led attack killed about 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostages. It’s intensifying. Palestinian health authorities say more than 26,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks over the past nearly four months.
Mr. Joly told Mr. Burton that Canada remains committed to finding ways to end the fighting and work toward a long-term solution.
“First and foremost, we need to get a deal for the hostages. They need to come back and be released. We need more humanitarian aid in Gaza,” she said.
“And we need to ensure that Hamas lays down its arms. And this will ultimately lead to a longer ceasefire, a sustainable ceasefire, and ultimately a bilateral conflict.” It’s definitely the first step towards reaching an even bigger path.” -Condition’s solution. ”
During the months of war, the outlook looked bleak. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly rejected the idea in January, prompting harsh criticism from allies such as Canada and the United States. The U.S. State Department this week consider your options Recognizing the postwar Palestinian state.
Joly said changes on both sides are needed to make long-term peace possible.
“We need a reformed Palestinian Authority. We also need an Israeli government willing to do the important work toward this two-state solution.”