Borrell's Efforts to Sanction Two Israeli Extreme Ministers Fail

The European Union's foreign policy chief's attempt to persuade the foreign ministers of EU member states to impose sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers has failed. According to Israeli media, many EU countries were not convinced by Josep Borrell's arguments regarding sanctions against Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir during the meeting on Thursday, September 8, in Brussels. A position statement from the EU requires consensus from all 27 member states. Israel's Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, a day before the EU foreign ministers' meeting, told his counterparts in several of these governments that Israel is at war and has sent a delegation to negotiations for the release of its kidnapped citizens, making it unacceptable to make decisions against Israeli ministers in this situation. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz also mentioned in separate phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Hungary and the Czech Republic, both strong supporters of Israel in Europe, that Iran continues to threaten attacks on Israel and Hezbollah targets northern Israel daily. Before the EU meeting on Thursday, Borrell stated that he had begun the process of requesting member states to impose sanctions against 'certain Israeli ministers.' Borrell accused the Israeli far-right minister of 'incitement to war crimes.' He did not specify the names of the ministers he wishes to see boycotted by the EU but mentioned that he speaks of ministers who 'spread unacceptable hate messages against Palestinians and propose actions that are clearly contrary to international law.' He accused them of 'inciting the commission of war crimes.' Michael Martin, the Irish Foreign Minister, who himself supports sanctions against several specific Israeli ministers, stated that it is time for the EU to review its agreements with Israel. Ireland has had tense relations with Israel since the onset of the Gaza war. The EU is the largest provider of aid to Palestinians, but its members have deep disagreements over their approach to Israel. While countries like Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria are staunch supporters of Israel within the EU, Ireland and Spain have recently spoken out more vocally in support of Palestinians. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's Finance Minister, stated last month that starving two million residents of Gaza to force the extremist group Hamas to release kidnapped Israeli citizens could be ethical and justified, but the world does not allow such actions, which is why Israel is compelled to agree to the entry of food and fuel into Gaza. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the EU and the US. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister, has also supported cutting off fuel and aid supplies to Gaza and called for more decisive actions by the Israeli army in Gaza and the West Bank. Josep Borrell and Volker Turk, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, condemned Smotrich's statements last month as 'ominous.' The two Israeli ministers have also been accused of supporting attacks by some residents of Israeli settlements against Palestinians in the West Bank. Their support for the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank contradicts the EU's policy of supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are leaders of two parties in the political coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ben-Gvir faced domestic condemnation in Israel last week after stating during another visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque that a 'synagogue' should be established at the site. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, stated this week that Ben-Gvir is sowing the seeds of chaos in the region.