Trudeau mulls sanctioning Israeli settlers, says he's 'seized' with case of missing Canadian

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is looking into sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the territory.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued financial sanctions against Israelis living in illegal settlements. Washington says the sanctioned individuals are connected to «escalating violence» against Palestinians.

«We are looking at sanctions on extremist settlers,» Trudeau told reporters Friday after an unrelated announcement in Waterloo, Ont., where he offered no update on a Canadian missing in the Gaza Strip.

«Settler violence in the West Bank is absolutely unacceptable and puts at risk peace (and) stability in the region, and the path toward the two-state solution that is absolutely essential.»

He was referring to Canada's longstanding policy of advocating for a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The American penalties unveiled Thursday aim to block four people from using the U.S. financial system and bar American citizens from dealing with them. Washington has said it may list more settlers.

Last December, Canada was among 14 countries that condemned «extremist settlers, which are terrorizing Palestinian communities.»

Attacks have intensified during the Israel-Hamas war. Palestinian authorities say some Palestinians have been killed, and rights groups say settlers have torched cars and attacked several small Bedouin communities, forcing evacuations.

«Israel, as the occupying power, must protect the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank,» reads the 14 countries' Dec. 15 statement.

Groups advocating for Palestinians, such as Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, are calling for Canada to sanction