Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has urged the 27 member states of the European Union to impose sanctions against certain Israeli ministers for their “hate speech” directed at Palestinians. This statement was made ahead of a meeting between EU foreign and defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday. Borrell emphasized that the comments made by the Israeli ministers “clearly violate international law and incite war crimes.” Although he did not name the ministers, he has recently criticized right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for their “illegitimate” statements.
“I have initiated procedures to ask member states whether they consider it appropriate to include some Israeli ministers on our sanctions list,” Borrell told reporters. “I believe the EU should have no taboos in utilizing our tools to ensure that humanitarian law is respected,” he added.
The remarks from Israeli ministers have sparked international outrage, particularly after Smotrich suggested a hunger strike of the population in Gaza to secure the release of Israeli prisoners. Ben-Gvir has also made several incendiary comments about Palestinians and recently stated that he would construct a Jewish synagogue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque—Islam’s third holiest site—if he could.
However, diplomats assess that Borrell’s call for sanctions is unlikely to achieve the necessary consensus among all 27 member states. Nevertheless, it reflects the anger some European officials feel towards the comments made by the Israeli ministers.
The EU has been divided since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7, which triggered Israel’s war against Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians. Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic have strongly defended Israel’s right to self-defense and opposed any attempts at stringent measures directed at the Israeli government.
Ireland, which is among the most pro-Palestinian members of the EU, expressed support on Thursday for Borrell’s proposal for sanctions against ministers and Israeli groups that “facilitate” the expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories. “It cannot continue as usual,” said Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin to reporters.
Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter expressed full support for sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Other ministers, however, have shown less support. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto labeled Borrell’s proposal as “dangerous,” while Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that sanctions would not be the “right way” to bring Israel to the negotiating table for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock demonstrated caution regarding the proposal, stating that the EU already has sanctions in place against violent Jewish settlers. European sanctions can include travel bans to the EU and asset seizures held within the EU.
Earlier in the day, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that his country is working “unhindered” with its European allies to prevent “anti-Israel decisions” at the foreign ministers’ meeting. “Our message is clear: In a reality where Israel faces threats from Iran and its proxy terrorist organizations, the free world must stand with Israel, not against it,” he wrote on social media platform X.