France Signals Fresh Sanctions Against Israeli Settlers

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has signaled that Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank could face further sanctions within days, citing continued settlement expansion and rising settler violence against the Palestinian population.

The EU imposed sanctions on a number of settlers and the organizations supporting them at the end of last month. Barrot said there was room for further action, with several countries considering coordinated measures.

France is working with other states to prepare national sanctions targeting those linked to violence in the West Bank, according to diplomatic sources. Barrot stressed that the aim is to sanction not only individuals but also companies and organizations that create the conditions to "drive Palestinians from their land, burn their crops and destroy their public buildings".

Barrot said he was "extremely concerned" about the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, describing previous sanctions as a way of forcing the Israeli government to take responsibility for the violence.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia and New Zealand jointly called on Israel in May to halt settlement expansion and curb settler violence.

(reuters, max)