Labor facing backbench calls to sanction Israeli settlers after US, UK announcements
Three of Australia's closest friends have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank. A group of Labor MPs want their government to follow suit.
Labor backbenchers are ramping up calls for the Albanese government to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, following similar moves from three of Australia’s key allies.
The decision by two Victorian backbench MPs, Maria Vamvakinou and Julian Hill, to call publicly for sanctions highlights ongoing tensions within the Labor caucus over the government's response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Capital Brief has confirmed at least one other MP supports the proposal, which was raised at a meeting on the conflict between Wong, her assistant minister Tim Watts and more than 20 backbenchers last week. That MP has declined to state their position publicly for now.
As most international attention focuses on Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, Israeli settler activity has increased in the West Bank, which is not under Hamas control.
