S’pore imposes sanctions, entry bans on 4 Israelis for violence against Palestinians

MFA says such unlawful actions undermine, jeopardise prospects for two-state solution

- Aqil Hamzah

Singapore will impose financial sanctions and bar the entry of four Israeli individuals immediately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Nov 21.

The four individuals are Meir Mordechai Ettinger, Elisha Yered, Ben-Zion Gopstein and Baruch Marzel. MFA said they have been involved in “egregious acts of extremist violence” against Palestinians in the West Bank.

“Such actions are unlawful and undermine and jeopardise prospects for a two-state solution,” said the ministry.

Stressing that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, MFA said their “presence and expansion will make it much harder” to arrive at a viable two-state solution.

As Singapore is a firm supporter of international law and the two-state solution, it opposes unilateral attempts to “change facts on the ground” through illegal acts.

“We call on the Israeli government to restrain acts of settler violence and to hold the perpetrators accountable,” it said.