The Israeli national flag flutters as apartments are seen in the background in the Israeli settlement of Efrat in the West Bank, Aug. 18, 2020. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Britain, Canada, France, and Norway announced new ​coordinated sanctions targeting Israel on Tuesday, blacklisting “extremist settlers” in the West Bank and individuals and entities that allegedly facilitate their violence against Palestinians.

The measures by the four countries were coordinated with sanctions already announced last week by ​Australia and New Zealand, underscoring anger in many Western countries toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has expanded ⁠Israeli settlements.

Israel’s governing coalition has enabled a rapid expansion of settlements, communities in the West Bank which most countries consider a violation of international law. Palestinians seek the West Bank among other territory as part of a future state.

Israel disputes claims of illegality, citing historical ties to the West Bank and noting the settlements provide strategic depth and security. Defenders of Israel also note that, while about one-fifth of the country’s population is Arab and enjoys equal rights, Palestinian law forbids selling any land to Israelis.

Nonetheless, a joint statement by foreign ministers from the four countries imposing the new sanctions, as well as Australia, said the steps aimed to “hold extremist settlers accountable for the ​horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians.”

“We continue to urge the government of Israel to take action to ensure meaningful accountability for violence in ​the West Bank,” the statement added.

Israel’s foreign ministry rejected what it described as the “disgraceful” measures, and said the governments imposing them had failed to control rising antisemitism and were fueling it with such sanctions.

“The real essence of these steps is the attempt to impose a political stance regarding the right of Jews to settle in the Land of Israel and concerning the ​Israeli-Palestinian conflict — camouflaged as measures against violence,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also noted that these governments “have also failed to impose sanctions or take action against the phenomena that truly drive violence — the Palestinian Authority’s salaries for terrorists (‘pay-for-slay’) policy and incitement.”

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited self-governance in the West Bank and has long been riddled with accusations of corruption, has for years carried out a so-called “pay-for-slay” program, which rewards terrorists and their families for carrying out attacks against Israelis.

Under this policy, official payments are made to Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, the families of “martyrs” killed in attacks on Israelis, and Palestinians injured in terrorist attacks.

Reports estimate that approximately 8 percent of the PA’s budget has been allocated to paying stipends to convicted terrorists and their families.

The Yesha Council, which represents municipal councils of Jewish settlements in the ​West Bank, did not immediately comment on the latest sanctions.

Israel’s government has acknowledged that settler violence occurs and has at times condemned it, while also opposing foreign sanctions on Israelis and entities ‌in connection ⁠with the West Bank, where it says Jews have a right to live.

SANCTIONS HIT ISRAELI FINANCE MINISTER, FINANCIAL NETWORKS

Tuesday’s sanctions did not all target the same individuals and companies.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the government had banned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, four leaders of settler organizations, and 21 violent settlers from entering France.

Britain said its package was aimed at disrupting the flows of finance that have “allowed extremist settler groups to act with impunity” in ​the West Bank. It also included ​a construction company whose resources ⁠it said had been used to destroy Palestinian property.

Israel often bulldozes the homes of Palestinians who have carried out deadly attacks against Israelis.

Canada’s sanctions included a different construction firm and its owners and prohibited Canadians from dealing with all those designated.

The joint statement threatened further action if the Israeli government did not ​take “urgent steps to address the situation on the ground.”

One concern is Israel’s plan to build a settlement east ​of Jerusalem, known ⁠as the E1 project, which would bisect the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, fragmenting territory Palestinians seek for an independent state.

France is due to hold a meeting on June 12 in Paris, bringing together Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups and about a dozen foreign ministers.

The meeting will mark ⁠a year ​since the adoption of the New York Declaration, a non-binding resolution endorsed by the UN ​General Assembly that set out a roadmap towards a Palestinian state, and led to 11 countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada and France, recognizing a Palestinian state in September.

Israel and the US both described the decision to recognize a Palestinian state as a “reward for terrorism” in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of and massacre across southern Israel.