France proposes to the European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers

France said on Wednesday that the European Union should consider imposing sanctions on Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as an option, and that talks in the European Union to impose sanctions on Hamas leaders are making progress.

United Nations figures show that daily settler attacks have more than doubled since Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, and the subsequent Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. More than 200 Palestinians were killed in violence in the West Bank this year, including during attacks carried out by settlers.

“We believe that the international community has a role to play in ending these acts of violence, which lead to significant instability in the region, and also harm the prospects for a two-state solution,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre said at a weekly press briefing.

She stated that no options are excluded, including the European Union imposing sanctions on individuals who practice violence.

A French diplomatic source said that Paris supports the European Union sanctions, but discussion of the issue has not yet begun in the bloc.

The United States said it was prepared to ban visas for “extremists” who attack civilians in the West Bank.

A European diplomat warned that some countries of the bloc do not favor this idea, although France is keen to push it.

However, the diplomat said that with some countries opposing certain proposed measures against Hamas, efforts to target settlers could convince those hesitant that the approach is balanced.

Legendre also reported that talks are witnessing progress in Brussels to impose sanctions on Hamas leaders, including asset freezes and travel bans.

Work is also underway with European allies and others to cut off funding to Hamas, including through the “No Money for Terrorism” platform, and to counter its propaganda on social media.

The No Money for Terrorism platform is a specialized coalition founded in 2018 with the aim of combating terrorist financing.

On November 13, France imposed national sanctions on Mohammed al-Deif, the military leader of Hamas, and his deputy, Marwan Issa.

Two diplomats said the aim was to add them to the European Union’s list of sanctioned terrorists by mid-December. The diplomats added that inclusion of other individuals is being considered, but the legal files will take more time to prepare.