Singapore on Friday imposed financial sanctions and entry bans on four Israeli individuals over their involvement in acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry named the four Israelis, saying in a statement that they “have been involved in egregious acts of extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.”
“Such actions are unlawful and undermine and jeopardize prospects for a two-State solution,” the statement said, reiterating Singapore’s view that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.
The presence and expansion of these settlements “will make it much harder to arrive at a viable two-State solution,” it said.
“As a firm supporter of international law and the two-State solution, Singapore opposes any unilateral attempts to change facts on the ground through acts which are illegal under international law,” it added, urging the Zionist entity to “restrain acts of settler violence and to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced in parliament in September that leaders of Israeli settler groups would be sanctioned.
All four individuals have previously been sanctioned by the European Union.
More than 1,076 Palestinians have since been martyred, and 10,700 injured in attacks by the army and illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank. More than 20,500 people have also been arrested.
In a landmark opinion in July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The ICJ has issued an advisory opinion finding that Israel’s continuing occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and must end as soon as possible.
The non-binding opinion added that all UN member states should not recognise or assist the occupation. pic.twitter.com/6FEzTNZM0V
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 19, 2024
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)
