(CNN) – European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that it is time for the European Union to impose sanctions on Jewish settlers who commit acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Josep Borrell’s comments come amid growing concern that Israel is not doing enough to confront extremist settlers rampaging through Palestinian villages, and also came in the wake of the US announcement of a new visa policy targeting the same violent individuals.
Borrell told reporters in Brussels: “We will work to impose sanctions on extremist settlers in the West Bank,” expressing his “disturbing” over the recent violence in the occupied territories.
United Nations data showed a sharp increase in attacks launched by settlers against Palestinians since last October 7, although European and American diplomats working in the region have expressed their concern about this violence for years, and the feeling that it often goes unpunished by Israel.
Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new visa restriction policy targeting “individuals who are believed to have engaged in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank, including by committing acts of violence, or undertaking other actions that are unrestricted.” Justification for civilians’ access to basic services and necessities.
Blinken said the US State Department would work to apply the policy to both Israelis and Palestinians responsible for attacks in the West Bank.
According to Reuters, Borrell did not mention details of possible sanctions from the European Union, but the agency said that European Union officials believe they will also include a travel ban to the European Union.
Another challenge facing Borrell is to convince all EU members to support any new sanctions policy, as several countries, including Hungary and Austria, are considered among Israel’s strongest international supporters.
Israel itself also refuses to accept any criticism of its policy towards West Bank settlers, especially at a time when it is still dealing with the repercussions of the last October 7 attack, launched by Hamas.
Israeli Defense Cabinet member Benny Gantz recently sought to persuade his international colleagues not to use the term “settler violence” because, he says, it unfairly describes all Israelis living in the area.
Reuters reported that Borrell also said on Monday that he was looking forward to imposing a new sanctions package on Hamas.
#European #Union #seeks #impose #sanctions #extremist #settlers #West #Bank
2023-12-12 07:28:16
