EU: Sanctions against Israeli settlers for the first time

2024-03-19 08:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

EU: Sanctions against Israeli settlers for the first time

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell

The foreign ministers of EU member states agreed at a meeting in Brussels on relevant plans to impose sanctions against radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time. As some diplomats confirmed, these plans will be formalized in the coming days. Hungary announced that it will no longer block this process.

The measures include banning entry into EU countries and freezing assets for certain individuals.

EU: Sanctions against Israeli settlers for the first time

The reason for the sanctions plans is the violent acts of extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians - especially after the Hamas massacre in Israel on 7 October. The attacks, as well as the construction of settlements, are seen as one of the obstacles to efforts to find a long-term peace solution to the Middle East conflict.

With the sanctions, the EU is following the example of the USA and Great Britain. The US has already imposed punitive measures aimed at extremist Israeli settlers. The US accuses them, among other things, of participating in violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

Tightening of sanctions against Hamas

The diplomats also learned that the EU will increase the previous sanctions imposed on Hamas. Diplomats said they would come into force first at the request of members such as Germany, which want to make clear they are not comparing Hamas and Israeli settlers.

German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said it is crucial that Germany make it clear that the actions of both sides are not in line with international law.

The EU continues to be divided into two groups: member states that strongly support Israel and those that sympathize more with the Palestinians.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who is closer to the latter group, said on Monday (18.03) that the war in Gaza has become a "graveyard for many of the most important principles of humanitarian law". ./ DW