EU moving toward implementing sanctions on Israeli West Bank settlements, ambassador confirms
The European Union’s Council of Foreign Ministers is due to meet on May 11, where actions against Israeli settlements could be approved.
The European Union is moving closer to imposing new sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, EU Ambassador to Israel Michael Mann confirmed on Thursday.
Speaking at the Berl Katznelson Foundation’s annual conference, titled “A Year of Decision and Correction,” Mann made clear a coming policy shift regarding sanctions against extremist settlers.
Mann discussed recent political changes in Hungary, which he said could lead to further actions against Israel. Hungary had previously blocked sanctions against Israel, but after Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat its policy is expected to change.
“For a long time, we had planned in Brussels to impose additional sanctions on extremist settlers in the West Bank. This was blocked by the vote of one country.”
“I’m not sure I can say with certainty that it’s going to change now, but it seems like that’s the direction it’s going to go,” Mann said at the conference.
Settlements constitute a “red line” for the EU
The ambassador also discussed other potential sanctions, including a Franco-Swedish initiative to ban imports from the colonies.
“There are of course other initiatives on the table aimed at persuading Israel to change its policies. We have received requests from Israel and discussions are taking place in Brussels about whether it is possible to lift the blockade on these measures. There could be progress,” Mann added.
He stressed that for the EU, the issue of settlements constitutes a “red line” and that the Union will do “everything in its power” to stop the expansion of settlements, which could include additional sanctions.
A senior EU official familiar with the details told N12 of the sanctions issue: “It seems increasingly likely that sanctions will soon be imposed on the colonies, especially now that the Hungarian veto has been lifted and there is a shift in sentiment across the continent. Europe is increasingly tired of the situation in the West Bank and wants to send a clear message to Israel. »
The official also warned N12 of a growing divide between Israel and its European allies.
The European Union’s Council of Foreign Ministers is due to meet on May 11, where actions against Israeli settlements could be approved.
In Israel, tougher measures, such as the complete cancellation of the association agreement that governs relations between the EU and Israel, have been successfully blocked.
