France, Allies Plan West Bank Sanctions Within Days as EU Deadlock Blocks Tougher Israel Measures
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 6
France, Allies Plan West Bank Sanctions Within Days as EU Deadlock Blocks Tougher Israel Measures
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 6
Summary
Coordinated national sanctions targeting individuals linked to West Bank violence could be announced within days, with France leading talks among several allied governments, three European diplomats said.
The planned measures would include asset freezes and travel bans, after EU efforts to adopt tougher collective action against Israel stalled for lack of unanimity.
Britain and Norway are among the countries France is coordinating with, though diplomats said final target lists are still being drawn up and may differ by country.
The push follows escalating settler violence and Israeli settlement expansion, including the E1 project east of Jerusalem, which diplomats say would further fragment land sought for a Palestinian state.
Paris will host Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups and about a dozen foreign ministers on June 12, as France tries to keep the Palestinian statehood issue on the agenda.
As European allies act alone on sanctions, is this a permanent fracture in Western policy towards Israel?
With state-backed settlement expansion, can targeted sanctions on individuals actually curb West Bank violence?
Western Nations Launch Coordinated Sanctions on Israeli Settlers Amid Escalating West Bank Crisis and EU Paralysis (June 2026)
Overview
France, together with Britain and Norway, is set to announce coordinated national sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank, following frustration over the lack of unified EU action. This move builds on previous Western sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers accused of inciting violence and reflects growing criticism of Israel’s policies. The new measures are expected to include asset freezes and travel bans, aiming to counter ongoing settlement activity. France will also host a civil society and ministerial meeting on June 12, highlighting continued diplomatic engagement alongside these targeted sanctions.