Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, voiced her support for imposing sanctions on “extremist” Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
She denounced their escalating acts of violence, which she believes threaten the stability of the region, while addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
Von der Leyen stated in Strasbourg, as reported by the French news agency that the escalating violence perpetrated by extremist settlers inflicts immense suffering on Palestinians.
She added that it jeopardizes the prospects for lasting peace and could exacerbate regional instability.
“For this reason, I support the imposition of sanctions on individuals involved in attacks in the West Bank,” the EU chief noted.
These statements come after the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, announced on Monday that he would propose sanctions on extremists among the West Bank settlers.
Such measures would require unanimity among the 27 EU member states, but divisions within the bloc are apparent.
Borrell commented on this matter, saying, “There was no unanimity.”
The EU’s move follows the announcement by the United States last week that it would deny visas to settlers behind a wave of violence in the West Bank.
