European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday (29) that he had asked members of the bloc to consider imposing sanctions against two ministers Israelenses for “hate messages” against Palestinians, which according to him violated international law.
He did not name any of the politicians, but in recent weeks he has publicly criticized security chief Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance chief Bezalel Smotrich for statements he described as “sinister” and “inciting war crimes.”
Borrell said EU foreign ministers had discussed the proposal at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday. He said there was no unanimity, which would be needed for sanctions to be imposed, but that talks on the matter would continue.
“The ministers will decide. It is their responsibility, as always. But the process has begun,” he said.
He said he proposed that ministers Israelcitizens face sanctions for human rights violations. European Union sanctions typically include travel bans to the bloc and asset freezes in the European Union.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Israelense, Israel Katz accused Borrell of targeting him with false accusations that he had called for Palestinians to be expelled from the West Bank. “I oppose the removal of any population from their homes,” he said.
Diplomats say the EU is unlikely to secure the unanimity needed among its 27 members to impose sanctions. But Borrell’s decision to float such a proposal indicates the level of discontent among European officials with the words and actions of far-right ministers. Israelense.
Even ministers from countries that are firm allies of Israelsuch as Germany and the Czech Republic, did not immediately rule out sanctions when asked by reporters on the sidelines of Thursday’s meetings.
Ireland, one of the most pro-Palestinian EU members, said it supported the proposal: “We will support Josep Borrell’s recommendation for sanctions against settler organisations in the West Bank, which are facilitating settlement expansion, and also against ministers Israelenses”, said the Irish Foreign Minister, Micheal Martin.
His Italian colleague, Antonio Tajani, dismissed the idea: “We have to solve the problems, convince the Israelpeople to take decisions that will lead to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. That is the real priority,” he said.
This content was originally published in EU diplomacy chief wants assessment of sanctions against Israeli ministers on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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