The European Union has reached a landmark decision to impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, marking the end of a prolonged stalemate on this controversial issue. Despite being hailed as a significant move, some within the EU, like MEP Kaja Kallas, view it as merely a “baby step.” Kallas, who also serves as the EU’s foreign policy chief, underscored the consequences of violence and extremism in her statement on Monday.
While the sanctions target major Israeli organizations supporting the violent colonization of the West Bank, consensus on more severe trade sanctions remains elusive among the 27 EU member states. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized the urgency of the situation, declaring that these “most serious and intolerable acts must cease without delay.” The specifics of the sanctioned parties have not been fully disclosed, but it is known that extremist Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are not included, despite already being under UK sanctions for inciting violence against Palestinian communities.
This breakthrough came after Hungary’s new pro-EU government lifted its veto, which had been in place under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The sanctions also extend to prominent figures within Hamas, as noted by Kallas. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized the EU’s actions as arbitrary and politically motivated, targeting Israeli citizens and entities based solely on their political views.
The decision falls short of the measures advocated by some EU member states, such as France and Sweden, which have pushed for tariffs on goods from illegal settlements. In a joint paper, they argued for increased pressure on Israel to discontinue its settlement activities. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard described tariffs on products from these settlements as “the most realistic proposal.” Unlike bans, which require unanimous approval, tariffs can be implemented with a majority vote.
Under the current EU-Israel association agreement, goods from the occupied territories do not benefit from preferential trade terms, but are not outright banned. This nuanced stance reflects the complex diplomatic balancing act the EU faces in addressing the ongoing tensions in the region.