France raises idea of EU sanctions against Israeli settlers

french foreign ministry

France said on November 29 that the EU should consider sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, reports Middle East Eye.

Since Hamas’ shock attack on Israel’s south in October, the EU have been giving mixed signals, on one hand saying that the bloc stands with Israel and that the state has a right to defend itself however, the EU’s top diplomat has condemned the state’s repeated attacks in the illegally occupied West Bank and Gaza and the EU Council President, Charles Michel said on November 9 that Israel could face isolation from the global community for its total disregard of international law. 

Paris said that sanctions on the settlers could be a viable option but the idea has sparked controversy amongst fellow members. No formal debate has taken place yet regarding the matter. 

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The United Nations reported that attacks in the West Bank have skyrocketed since October 7. Hundreds have been killed in the territory since then. 

In Jenin six were murdered, among them  two youths , aged 9 and 15 respectively, in an Israeli raid on November 29. 

French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legende said recently, “We believe that the international community has a role to play to end these acts of violence which are extremely destabilising for the region, but also harm the prospects for a two state-solution,” . 

READ: France condemns Israel’s “policy of terror”in the West Bank

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Although a partial ceasefire was agreed between Hamas and Israel and was extended by two days, violence against Palestinians in numerous territories isn’t ebbing. 

Macron, who has been percieved by many as taking a pro-Israel stance on the conflict, has toned down his support for the state and has called for an end to  attacks on the long-oppressed Palestinians as well as a full cessation of hostilities in Gaza. 

Pro-Palestinian protesters have defied Macron who has said that protests in solidarity with the people in Gaza would be banned on French soil.

Across the channel in the UK, politicians of the governing Conservative Party have been critical of the highly attended pro-Palestine demonstrations. Notably, the now-sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman attempted to clamp down on these activities and dubbed them, “hate marches”.  

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France have previously addressed the West Bank violence issue on November 16 as well as vocally proposing solutions to combat the Israeli brutalities. 

During a press conference last month, Anne-Claire Legende noted, “Concerning the West Bank, I’d like to express the strongest condemnation by France of the violence carried out by the settlers against the Palestinians.” . 

“Violence which has the clear objective of forced displacement of the Palestinians and a policy of terror.” .  

Middle East Eye/ United Nations

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