Recent provocations from government hardliners Ben Gvir and Smotrich have sparked international outcry. The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has proposed sanctioning Israeli ministers for hate speech and incitement to war crimes, in an effort to toughen the bloc’s response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Borrell spoke ahead of a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels, where a decision on sanctioning Israeli ministers cannot be formally made and is unlikely to gain unanimous support. While Borrell did not name the ministers in question, Ben Gvir and Smotrich have come under fire for their controversial statements and actions.
Ben Gvir’s visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and his proposal to build a synagogue on the site have drawn international condemnation. Similarly, Smotrich has faced criticism for plans to promote illegal settlements in the West Bank and statements suggesting it may be acceptable to deprive Palestinians in Gaza of essential resources. Borrell has condemned these actions as incitement to war crimes and called for sanctions against the ministers involved. His proposed sanctions are also aimed at ministers who have supported or enabled violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The EU previously sanctioned individuals and entities responsible for attacks against Palestinian communities in April, but violence in the West Bank has persisted. Smotrich has disregarded international concerns over settlement building in the West Bank as “preaching” and has continued to provide government support for settlement projects. Additionally, he has been withholding tax revenues designated for the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the occupied West Bank. Borrell’s push for sanctions against Israeli ministers is part of the EU’s efforts to address ongoing conflicts and violations of international law in the region.
The proposed sanctions by Borrell are part of a broader effort by the EU to address the escalating conflict in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The statements and actions of Ben Gvir and Smotrich have raised concerns internationally, with many viewing them as contributing to a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region. Borrell’s call for sanctions against Israeli ministers is a response to what he sees as hate speech and incitement to war crimes, which are contrary to international law. The EU has previously taken action against individuals and entities involved in attacks against Palestinian communities, and is now considering sanctions against ministers who promote violence and settlement expansion.
The situation in Israel and the occupied territories remains volatile, with ongoing violence and human rights violations exacerbating an already tense situation. The EU’s response to the actions of Israeli ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich reflects a growing international concern over the escalating conflict in the region. Borrell’s proposal for sanctions against these ministers is an attempt to hold them accountable for their actions and to send a clear message that hate speech and incitement to violence will not be tolerated. As the EU continues to navigate its response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the proposed sanctions are a critical step in addressing the root causes of the violence and working towards a peaceful resolution in the region.
