The Canadian government issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, emphasizing that such settlements are illegal under international law and undermine "peace, security and stability."

The statement highlighted concerns over widespread and violent attacks by settlers on Palestinian communities. According to the United Nations, 76 Palestinians have died this year in settler attacks, with roughly 190 such attacks recorded in each of the first four months of 2026.

An OHCHR spokesperson expressed alarm at the Israeli Government's announcement to increase the number of settlements and outposts, as well as calls by Israeli leaders for revenge and collective punishment against Palestinian communities.

In response, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed Canada's concerns as misguided in a social media exchange. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated, "Israelis are being murdered and wounded by Palestinian terrorists," using the biblical term for the occupied West Bank favored by Israeli settlers.

Additional reports mention Israeli closures leaving West Bank patients trapped and investigations into how some Israeli settlers have escaped justice.

Sources