The European Union approved sanctions against Israeli settlers, and Netanyahu accused the bloc of "moral bankruptcy."

The European Union approved sanctions against Israeli settlers, and Netanyahu accused the bloc of "moral bankruptcy." The European Union on Monday approved new sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of participating in acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. This decision prompted an immediate reaction from the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, which called the measure "arbitrary" and accused the European bloc of attacking Israeli citizens for political reasons. The agreement was reached during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, after months of internal disagreements that had prevented progress on new restrictions. The change in position by the Hungarian government finally allowed the necessary consensus to be reached among the 27 member states. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, confirmed that the EU decided to sanction "the main Israeli organizations responsible for supporting extremist and violent colonization in the West Bank, as well as their leaders." He also stated that "these serious and intolerable acts must cease immediately." The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, stated that the agreement demonstrates that "the political stalemate that lasted for a long time has been overcome." She also emphasized that "violence and extremism have consequences." An Israeli settler places an Israeli flag in Sa-Nur, in the West Bank (REUTERS/Shir Torem/Archive). Although the definitive list must still be formally legalized, European officials indicated that the measures will affect at least three individuals and four entities linked to attacks, forced evictions, and harassment against Palestinians in the West Bank. Violence in that territory has increased steadily since the beginning of the war in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. International organizations and several European governments have been denouncing for months an increase in attacks committed by groups of Israeli settlers in occupied areas. European sanctions include asset freezes and travel restrictions within the EU. At the same time, Brussels also took measures against members and representatives of the terrorist group Hamas. However, the European bloc remains divided on the possibility of adopting broader actions against Israel. Some countries are pushing for trade restrictions linked to products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, while others reject moving in that direction. Kallas acknowledged that "many countries want more," but clarified that there is not yet enough support to approve new economic or trade measures against the Israeli government. Israeli soldiers stand guard during a weekly tour of settlers in Hebron, in the West Bank (REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma/Archive). Israel's reaction was immediate. Netanyahu accused the EU of establishing a "false symmetry" between Israeli citizens and Hamas. "While Israel is doing Europe's dirty work of fighting for civilization and against lunatics and jihadists in Iran and elsewhere, the European Union is exposing its moral bankruptcy," the prime minister said in a statement. The Israeli prime minister also defended the presence of Jewish settlers in the West Bank, a territory that his government calls Judea and Samaria. "Israel will always protect the right of Jews to live in our ancestral homeland," he said. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, called the sanctions an "arbitrary and political" measure and said that it is "outrageous" to compare Israeli citizens with "Hamas terrorists." "No other people have such a documented and lasting right to their land as the Jewish people to the Land of Israel," Saar said, who also rejected any international attempt to "impose political opinions through sanctions." Netanyahu accused the EU of establishing a "false symmetry" between Israeli citizens and Hamas. From the most hardline sectors of the Israeli government, criticism also emerged. The Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, called for accelerating measures to expand Israeli control over additional sectors of the West Bank and accused Europe of acting with "hypocrisy." Smotrich proposed transferring areas under partial Palestinian administration to areas of direct Israeli control and argued that the West Bank constitutes "Israel's security belt." For his part, the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, called the European decision "anti-Semitic" and said that Israel will not accept "political persecution" against the settlers. While internal differences within the EU continue regarding the scope of future sanctions, Brussels also debated on Monday the regional situation after the war with Iran and the increase in tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Kallas said that the European Union will strengthen security cooperation with countries in the Gulf and expand sanctions against Iranian officials linked to actions against freedom of navigation in the region. (With information from EFE, AFP and Europa Press)