Three Western states have now imposed sanctions against radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank: the USA was followed this week by Great Britain and France. It is unclear whether Germany will also follow suit.
After Great Britain and the USA, France is now also taking action against radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The French Foreign Ministry said 28 of them would be refused entry. They are accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied territory. Names were not mentioned.
France had suggested corresponding measures within the EU months ago. The federal government is also striving for a common European approach. However, this has not yet happened.
become settlers Human rights violations accused
Britain imposed sanctions on four Israelis on Monday. The British Foreign Office said the settlers were involved in serious human rights violations in the occupied West Bank. Those affected are not allowed to enter Great Britain and financial restrictions have been imposed. “Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians and forcing them to leave their rightful lands,” Foreign Secretary David Cameron said.
The USA had already banned financial transactions with four settlers on February 1st. In addition, their assets in the USA were frozen. According to the Reuters news agency, Israeli banks are complying with the requirements.
Israel sharply criticizes sanctions
Representatives of the Israeli government criticized the sanctions imposed by Western states. The conservative minister responsible for the police, Itamar Ben-Gwir, accused the government in London of “severe moral confusion”. One of the affected settlers was injured as a soldier during fighting in the Gaza Strip.
After the US sanctions were issued, ultra-nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared: “We are not a banana republic of the USA, and we will not allow any harm to come to our citizens.”
The Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said settler violence had recently decreased. There are fewer open attacks, said a spokeswoman. However, there is evidence of more concerted efforts by settlers to impose “restrictions, fines and other hardships” on Palestinians. This includes the confiscation of herds and restrictions on grazing areas. This is done in cooperation with parts of the Israeli government.
Baerbock again calls settlement construction illegal
At a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Riad Al Malki, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized again that Israeli settlement construction was illegal. “Anyone who takes a look at the site can see what a massive obstacle the settlement represents to a two-state solution,” said the Green politician, referring to the more than 500,000 settlers who are now in the occupied areas areas live.
Al Maliki warned: “The West Bank must not be another source of violence.” It should not happen “that what is currently happening in the Gaza Strip is repeated in the West Bank.” The “terrorism of the settlers” must stop.
At the beginning of February, German government spokesmen rejected allegations that the federal government was working against common sanctions in the EU. It’s about checking which means from the Union’s toolbox can be used in the best possible way, they explained. A decision must be legally binding.