EU considers next steps for Gaza and Israel settlers
FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, September 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
The EU is looking to crack down both on Hamas and on Israeli settlers. On December 11, foreign ministers of the European Union are deliberating on future actions related to the ongoing war in Gaza. Moreover, France, Germany and Italy, are calling upon the EU to set up a special sanctions scheme targeting Hamas.
According to Reuters, a letter from France’s Catherine Colonna, Germany’s Annalena Baerbock and Italy’s Antonio Tajani is pushing the European Union to implement sanctions targeting both Hamas’ finances and the spread of its disinformation.
The letter stated, “ this implies a stronger European commitment both to combating Hamas’ infrastructure and financial support, and to isolating and delegitimizing Hamas internationally, which in no way represents the Palestinians or their legitimate aspirations.”
Furthermore, the EU has officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, resulting in the freezing of its assets within the EU. Additionally, Mohammad Deif and Marwan Issa, the commander and deputy commander of Hamas’ military wing, have been specifically identified as terrorists by the EU.
Senior EU officials, including foreign policy chief Josep Borell, have voiced their concerns about another issue, regarding the escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
READ:US declares visa bans on Israel over West Bank violence
As a result, the discussion paper also proposes that individuals found in violation of human rights and engaged in such reprehensible behavior should face travel bans to the EU.
Reuters/Arab News
