The Australian government is considering additional sanctions targeting Israel but has ruled out joining the United Kingdom in banning trade with groups it labels "settler terrorists," according to The Guardian.
The Guardian reports that Canberra is exploring new punitive measures while stopping short of the trade restrictions London recently imposed on individuals and entities tied to illegal settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. The decision marks a deliberate divergence from the UK's approach, which has drawn both praise and backlash internationally.
Australia's stance places it at odds with a growing international push for tougher action against settlement expansion. The Guardian notes that prominent Israeli figures have welcomed the UK's sanctions as "a good start," signaling internal support for external pressure on settlement policies. Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly targeted the UK in response to those measures, suggesting diplomatic fallout from London's decision.
The Australian position comes amid broader scrutiny of its Middle East policy. Reports from ABC and the Sydney Morning Herald indicate that Foreign Minister Penny Wong is facing criticism for declining to adopt an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. This issue has become a flashpoint in Australian politics, with advocates arguing that trade restrictions would align with international law, while opponents warn of damaging bilateral ties.
The Guardian's reporting suggests Canberra is attempting to calibrate its response—enough to signal concern over settlement activity, but not enough to provoke the kind of retaliation Israel has directed at the UK. The exact scope of the new sanctions under consideration has not been detailed.
What to watch next: whether Australia's proposed measures will satisfy domestic critics or simply prolong the debate over its Middle East policy.
