By BRUSSELS — EU countries will be asked to support sanctions on Israeli politicians accused of breaching the rights of foreign activists detained as part of a flotilla that attempted to reach Gaza.
Capitals are set to consider imposing the restrictions on senior members of Israel’s government for the first time ahead of a meeting of leaders at the European Council on June 18-19, according to a draft document worked up by officials and obtained by POLITICO.
The proposals will be discussed by ambassadors from 27 member countries on Wednesday, as Brussels seeks a joint position on the contentious issue, which requires unanimity to proceed. The Czech government has vowed to block sanctions on Israeli government ministers.
“We will have to listen to everybody’s position before we reach a final agreement,” cautioned one EU official who was granted anonymity to speak frankly.
A number of EU countries had called for sanctions against Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir over his taunting of activists apprehended while attempting to circumvent Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza in May. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reprimanded Ben-Gvir following the publication of a video of the incident, saying the minister’s behavior was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
“The European Council condemns the mistreatment of detainees following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters,” reads the draft. “It invites the Council to take work forward on restrictive measures against extremist ministers inciting and promoting such human rights abuses.”
Ben-Gvir has previously been sanctioned by the U.K., Canada, Australia, Norway and New Zealand in relation to his rhetoric about Palestinians.
Originally published on www.politico.eu — View original