In a bold move that underscores the European Union’s evolving foreign policy stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the bloc’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has proposed sanctioning Israeli ministers for hate speech and incitement to war crimes. This initiative represents another step in the EU’s efforts to toughen its response to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and reflects growing international concern over the actions and rhetoric of hardline members of the Israeli government.
The Proposed Sanctions: Targeting Hate Speech and War Crimes Incitement
Borrell’s proposal, announced on Thursday morning ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, aims to include certain Israeli ministers on the bloc’s sanctions list. These ministers, according to Borrell, have been “launching hate messages, unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians and proposing things that clearly go against international law, and (are) an incitation to commit war crimes.”
While Borrell did not explicitly name the ministers in question, his recent statements have expressed particular concern over the actions and rhetoric of two key figures: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Both belong to the far-right, ultra-nationalist wing of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition government.
Foreign Policy Implications
The proposed sanctions reflect a significant shift in EU foreign policy towards Israel, traditionally one of its closest allies in the Middle East. This move signals the bloc’s growing frustration with what it perceives as escalating provocations and violations of international law by certain Israeli officials.
Ben-Gvir, for instance, sparked international condemnation with his recent visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. This visit was seen as a violation of the longstanding status quo maintained by Israeli authorities. Additionally, his proposal to build a synagogue on the holy site has further inflamed tensions.
Smotrich, on the other hand, has faced criticism for his plans to promote illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and for statements suggesting it might be “moral” to starve two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Such rhetoric, according to Borrell, amounts to “an incitement to war crimes.”
Challenges to Implementation: EU Member States Divided
Despite Borrell’s determination, the path to implementing these sanctions faces significant hurdles. The proposal requires unanimous support from all 27 EU member states, a consensus that seems unlikely given the deep divisions within the bloc on this issue.
Some countries, like Ireland and Slovenia, have already voiced their support for the sanctions. Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin explicitly backed Borrell’s recommendation, targeting both settler organizations in the West Bank and the two Israeli ministers in question.
However, other EU members, particularly those considered staunch supporters of Israel, such as Hungary, have historically limited the foreign policy chief’s efforts to hold the Israeli government accountable to international law. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani dismissed the proposal as “unrealistic” and counterproductive, arguing that sanctioning Israeli ministers would not solve the underlying problems.
As the EU grapples with its foreign policy response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian issue, Borrell’s proposal marks a potential turning point. Whether these sanctions materialize or not, they signal a growing willingness within the EU to use diplomatic and economic tools to address what it sees as violations of international law and human rights. The coming weeks will likely see intense discussions among EU member states, as they weigh the potential benefits and risks of this bold foreign policy move.
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