EU eyes sanctions on Israeli settlers as West Bank tensions rise

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that she expects EU foreign ministers to back additional sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

“I expect political agreement on the sanctions of violent settlers. Hopefully, we'll get there,” Kallas said upon arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, dpa reports.

The planned measures would target individuals and organizations involved in expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with potential asset freezes and travel bans. The initiative had been stalled previously due to opposition from Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted that following the recent change of government in Budapest, reaching an agreement had become feasible.

However, Kallas acknowledged that there is still no broad consensus among EU member states for more extensive measures, as some capitals advocate for restricting trade in goods from Israeli settlements.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergar called for tariffs on such imports, as well as sanctions on “Israeli ministers that are driving these settlements.” She described her proposal as a “middle way” between countries supporting a full trade ban and those opposed to further punitive measures.

German State Minister Gunther Krichbaum emphasized Berlin’s commitment to maintaining dialogue with Israel, saying Germany is “trying to influence the government and thus the region.”

By Vafa Guliyeva