New sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers could be taken “soon” by the European Union

New sanctions could be taken “soon” by the European Union against extremist Israeli settlers carrying out violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

“We have taken sanctions, national level sanctions against violent settlers, and European level sanctions“, said Jean-Noël Barrot, stressing that “this sanctions regime had already been activated twice and could be activated a third time soon“.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the Israeli military operation launched in retaliation in the Gaza Strip, the situation has become even more tense in the West Bank.

“We are very attached to the security of Israel, but without offending the people of Israel, or the Jewish people more generally (…) it is in the interest of Israel, of its security, that international law is respected and justice is done“, declared Jean-Noël Barrot who was participating in a panel on the Middle East at the Paris Peace Forum.

Israel Colonies sanctions Israeli settlers European Union