The European Union is mulling plans to sanction extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank and toughen restrictions on Hamas' military lead
The European Union is mulling plans to sanction extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank and toughen restrictions on Hamas' military leadership, according to diplomatic sources. Foreign Affairs ministers scheduled to gather in Brussels on Monday are set to discuss proposals by Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to issue sanctions on extremist settlers in the West Bank including possible visa bans. The EU has repeatedly condemned Israeli settlers' attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank but has steered clear of issuing sanctions. A fresh bout of violence by such settlers in the West Bank following the October 7 attacks commandeered by Hamas in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 200 more taken hostage, has however brought the topic to the fore. The "orientation note" issued by Borrell's service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and seen by Euronews, calls on member states to "explore EU reactions to settler violence in the West Bank".
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Yeah, that steering clear of sanctions is one of the reasons Israeli settlers act the way they now do.