Paris: France on Tuesday announced new sanctions targeting colonists responsible for intensifying colonization and violence in the West Bank, including a ban on entry to French territory imposed on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in coordination with five countries. According to Palestine News and Information Agency, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on the social media platform X that France, in coordination with Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, is introducing new sanctions against individuals responsible for escalating colonization and violence in the West Bank. Barrot further explained that, on a national level, France has banned Smotrich from entering its territory. This measure is also extended to four officials from colonist organizations and 21 violent colonists. The French Foreign Minister emphasized that Bezalel Smotrich actively promotes the annexation of the West Bank, supports the creation of new settlements, advocates for the recolonization of Ga za, and seeks the economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Barrot highlighted that such policies, which have harmful consequences on the Palestinian population, are not acceptable to the international community, which remains committed to a two-state solution.
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