Singapore imposes sanctions on four Israelis for West Bank violence

Singapore has implemented financial restrictions and entry prohibitions against four Israeli citizens accused of participating in violent acts targeting Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctioned individuals—Meir Mordechai Ettinger, Elisha Yered, Ben-Zion Gopstein, and Baruch Marzel—were identified by Singapore's Foreign Ministry as having been involved in what it described as "egregious acts of extremist violence" against Palestinian communities.

Legal and Diplomatic Justification

In its official statement, the Singaporean government characterized the settlers' actions as "unlawful and undermining prospects for a two-state solution." The ministry reaffirmed Singapore's longstanding position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank contravene international law, noting that their "presence and expansion will make it much harder to arrive at a viable two-state solution." Singapore urged Israel to "restrain acts of settler violence and hold perpetrators accountable."

Broader Regional Context

The sanctions announcement occurs against the backdrop of intensified military operations and settler violence in the West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. According to available data, more than 1,076 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 10,700 injured in attacks by both Israeli forces and settlers throughout the occupied territory, with over 20,500 arrests documented during this period.

International Legal Framework

Singapore's decision references the International Court of Justice's landmark opinion from July of last year, which declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The city-state emphasized its commitment to international law and opposition to "any unilateral attempts to change facts on the ground through acts which are illegal under international law."