EU Foreign Minister Proposes Sanctions Against Israeli Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir

The European Union's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrell, has announced his intention to request a joint decision from EU member states to impose sanctions on Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. Borrell's proposal requires the unanimous approval of all 27 EU countries, a challenging prospect given the political diversity within the Union. However, the mere discussion of such sanctions marks a significant shift in international approaches to dealing with extreme right-wing figures in Israel.

Borrell's push for sanctions follows inflammatory statements made by Smotrich and Ben Gvir regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Ben Gvir had called for a halt to the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza, while Smotrich suggested the possibility of starving the entire population of the Strip. In response, Borrell stated that "sanctions must be on the agenda of the European Union."

Over the past year, Borrell has advocated for expanding the EU's sanctions framework to include not only individuals directly involved in violence against Palestinians but also those whose rhetoric and policies contribute to escalating tensions.

There is also some support within the U.S. administration for sanctions against the two ministers, though President Joe Biden has yet to give his approval. Two weeks ago, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby criticized Smotrich for opposing a deal to release hostages held by Hamas, accusing him of endangering American lives and lying about the nature of the deal. Kirby stated that Smotrich "should be ashamed" of his comments, especially given Biden's strong support for Israel during the ongoing conflict.

While imposing sanctions on Israeli government ministers would be unprecedented, both Smotrich and Ben Gvir are already facing diplomatic isolation. No European country currently maintains official and public relations with them, and they are also subject to a de facto embargo by the U.S. administration. This stands in stark contrast to their predecessors, who enjoyed close cooperation with international counterparts.