The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank caused by extremist Jewish settlers. Borrell announced on Monday that he would propose sanctions against these settlers who engage in violent acts against Palestinians. The EU’s foreign policy chief condemned the Israeli government’s recent decision to approve an additional 1,700 housing units in Jerusalem, viewing it as a violation of international law.
Borrell emphasized the need to move beyond mere words and take concrete actions to address the acts of violence against the Palestinian population in the West Bank. He stated this after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss their next steps regarding the Israeli war on Gaza. According to the United Nations, settler attacks against Palestinians have more than doubled since October 7, resulting in the deaths of at least 275 people, including 63 children, and injuring 3,365 others.
While some EU ministers expressed reservations about the proposed measures, Borrell intends to collaborate with EU officials to compile a list of prominent settlers involved in attacks. He plans to recommend sanctions against these individuals for human rights abuses. Although the details of the sanctions have not been disclosed, EU officials have indicated that they may include travel bans to the EU. However, this proposal faces challenges as some EU member countries, such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, have longstanding alliances with Israel.
In a significant move, the United States, Israel’s biggest ally, recently imposed a visa ban on settlers involved in violent attacks in the occupied West Bank. France and Belgium have also expressed their consideration of similar measures, with the latter announcing a ban on settlers from entering the country. The surge in Israeli settler violence can be attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, which includes ultranationalist settlers.
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal by much of the world, have proliferated in the past decade. Palestinians view settler violence as part of a broader Israeli strategy to forcibly remove them from their land. Borrell also announced his intention to propose a separate sanctions program against Hamas, which received unanimous support from EU ministers. The EU already designates Hamas as a terrorist organization.
In conclusion, the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has expressed alarm over the violence perpetrated by extremist Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He plans to propose sanctions against these settlers and a separate sanctions program against Hamas. The EU’s move aligns with growing international concerns regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and aims to address human rights abuses in the region.
