Two Israeli Ministers Added to Canada Sanctions

Summary#

The final rule called Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations adds two Israeli cabinet ministers to Canada’s sanctions list. It took effect when it was registered on June 10, 2025, and was published in the Canada Gazette on July 2, 2025.

What it does#

• Adds Itamar Ben-Gvir (born May 6, 1976) and Bezalel Yoel Smotrich (born February 27, 1980) to the list of people targeted by the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.
• Prohibits Canadians and people in Canada from dealing with the listed persons’ property, entering into transactions with them, providing services to them, transferring property to them, or otherwise making goods available to them.
• Makes the listed individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Requires financial institutions and other obliged parties to update their screening lists so they do not provide services or transactions to the listed persons.
• Sets penalties for knowingly breaking the sanctions: a fine up to $25,000, or imprisonment for up to one year on summary conviction, or up to five years on indictment.

Who's affected#

• Private individuals and organizations in Canada that might deal with the listed persons. This includes banks and financial institutions who must update their compliance systems.
• Canadian businesses that provide services or goods internationally. They are banned from dealing with the listed persons and could apply for a rare permit from Global Affairs Canada if an exception is needed.
• The two named individuals themselves, who are now subject to economic measures and travel restrictions.
• Government departments involved in enforcement and immigration, such as the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• The rule’s authors and administrators: Global Affairs Canada (which enforces and explains the sanctions).

Why it matters#

• It is a targeted sanctions move. It aims to pressure people Canada says have supported or enabled extremist settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• For ordinary Canadians, the change mostly matters if you or your business could interact with the named people. Banks will block or flag transactions and businesses must avoid prohibited dealings.
• It also affects travel and entry: the named officials are now inadmissible to Canada.
• The government says the measures are meant to condemn violence, deter future attacks, and support a two-state solution. The regulatory note cites more than 1,800 reported extremist settler attacks between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 as context for the action.