German foreign minister open to EU sanctions against Israel’s far-right ministers

BERLIN

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday did not rule out possible EU sanctions against Israel’s far-right ministers, but underlined that this will require a unanimous decision by the member states.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, Baerbock expressed grave concern over growing violence by Israeli extremist settlers and inflammatory comments by Israel’s far-right ministers.

“As Germany, we have always strongly criticized statements made by various Israeli ministers in recent months, when they called for acts of violence, when these statements were against international law, against the Oslo Accords,” she said.

Baerbock underlined that violence by extremist settlers, and inflammatory comments by Israeli far-right ministers were not only a danger for Palestinians but also a threat to Israel’s own security.

Asked whether Germany would support EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s recent proposal to impose sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers, Baerbock said that this would depend on the legal requirements and the specific allegations against these politicians.

“Our guidelines are the law, and this also applies to the sanctions regime. As was the case for Russia sanctions, each case must be examined individually to see what are the accusations, and whether they are sufficient enough to be included in the sanctions list. This also applies exactly here,” she said.

But Baerbock also cautioned that possible European sanctions against Israel’s far-right ministers would require a unanimous decision by the EU member states.

She said the ministers would discuss this issue on Thursday, among other items on their agenda, but a decision would not be taken as it was an informal ministerial meeting.

Italy opposes EU sanctions

Speaking to press at the doorstep of the meeting, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated his government’s opposition to such a move.

Calling potential sanctions on the extremist Israeli minister “an unrealistic scenario,” he said: “This is not how you will convince Israel to agree to a peace deal in Cairo.”