New Zealand expands travel bans on Israelis over West Bank settler violence
New Zealand has barred three Israelis from travelling to the country over alleged involvement in violent expansion of illegal West Bank settlements. The move aligns Wellington with Australia and the EU amid growing scrutiny of settler attacks on Palestinians.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand has imposed travel bans on three Israelis accused of using violence to help expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, joining Australia and the European Union in taking action as concern grows over attacks on Palestinians.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Tuesday that the restrictions target three individuals who had actively worked to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, including through violence. The measures will bar them from travelling to New Zealand.
In a statement, Peters said the move brings New Zealand into line with partners including Australia and the EU and reflects concern that settler violence is damaging prospects for peace and security. He said the restrictions were aimed at specific individuals, not at the Israeli public or government.
Peters said the action was directed at people who had been involved in expanding settlements in the occupied territory through violent means. "These travel bans are targeted at three individuals who have actively worked to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, including through violence."
The move comes amid widening international attention on violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. UN experts said such attacks have reached alarming levels and are raising the risk of forced displacement of Palestinians.
The experts said repeated assaults, intimidation, destruction of property and limits on access to land were making it increasingly difficult for Palestinian communities to remain in their homes. They also warned that settler violence had become systematic in some parts of the occupied West Bank, posing what they described as an existential threat to Palestinian communities and intensifying pressure on residents to leave.
UN experts called on the international community to take urgent steps to protect civilians and uphold international law.
Earlier measures
New Zealand first introduced travel bans on settlers in February 2024. Since then, it has moved in step with a wider group of Western partners that have taken measures against people linked to settler violence and the expansion of illegal settlements.
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