Singapore Imposes Sanctions on Four Israelis Over 'Extreme Violence' Against Palestinians

Singapore Takes Action Against Israeli Individuals

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Friday, November 21, 2025, that it has imposed targeted financial sanctions and entry bans on four Israeli individuals. The individuals, identified as Meir Mordechai Ettinger, Elisha Yered, Ben-Zion Gopstein, and Baruch Marzel, are accused of 'egregious acts of extreme violence' against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions took effect immediately.

The MFA stated that the actions committed by these individuals are 'unlawful and undermine and jeopardise prospects for a two-state solution.' Singapore reiterated its long-standing position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and that their expansion makes a viable two-state solution much harder to achieve.

Details of the Sanctioned Individuals and Their Backgrounds

The four Israelis sanctioned by Singapore have been linked to various extremist activities and groups:

• Meir Mordechai Ettinger: Reportedly a member of the Hilltop Youth, a radical Israeli youth group, and the grandson of Meir Kahane, an extremist rabbi.
• Elisha Yered: Also a prominent affiliate of the Hilltop Youth. He was previously suspected of killing a Palestinian in 2023 and was barred from the West Bank by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for six months starting September 2023.
• Ben-Zion Gopstein: Co-founder and leader of Lehava, an organization. He was convicted in 2024 by an Israeli court for inciting racism through inflammatory public statements and was barred from running in the 2019 Knesset elections.
• Baruch Marzel: An American immigrant to Israel, he has been deeply involved in far-right politics and was a close associate of Kahane.

These individuals have also faced sanctions from other international bodies. All four have been previously sanctioned by the European Union. Ettinger, Gopstein, and Yered have also been sanctioned by Canada, with some also facing measures from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Singapore's Stance and Call for Accountability

As a 'firm supporter of international law and the two-state solution,' Singapore explicitly opposes any unilateral attempts to alter facts on the ground through acts deemed illegal under international law. The city-state urged the Israeli government 'to restrain acts of settler violence and to hold the perpetrators accountable.'

The announcement follows a September statement by Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in parliament, where he indicated the intention to sanction leaders of radical right-wing settler groups responsible for violence against Palestinians.

Context of Escalating Violence in the West Bank

The sanctions come amidst a significant surge in Jewish nationalist crime and settler violence in the West Bank. Reports indicate a sharp increase in incidents, particularly since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023. The UN humanitarian office recorded over 260 attacks by Israeli settlers resulting in Palestinian casualties or property damage in October alone, marking the highest monthly count since monitoring began in 2006. This violence has drawn condemnation from various international bodies and calls for greater accountability.