The European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, has proposed imposing sanctions on Israeli government members to the 27 EU member states, dpa reports.
The proposed sanctions target Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, dpa learned from EU officials shortly before an EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Thursday.
Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have recently caused outrage with anti-Palestinian statements. They are far-right coalition partners of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Both officials are advocates of the settlement policy in occupied territories, which the highest UN court considers illegal.
Ben-Gvir recently called for an end to aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in order to pressure the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.
Smotrich made a similar statement, suggesting a possible blockade of aid until all Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released. He described this as morally justified, even if it meant risking the lives of 2 million people in the Gaza Strip.