EU ministers fail to sanction Israeli minister Ben-Gvir, push for settlement import ban
EU foreign ministers ended a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday without agreeing on sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, but they pushed the European Commission to prepare options for banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Sanctions against Ben-Gvir fail
Several EU member states, including France, Spain and Italy, had called for sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir over a video showing him humiliating detained Gaza flotilla activists. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after the meeting that while many countries supported the move, the required unanimity was not there.
Many member states have asked to sanction Israeli minister Ben-Gvir, but from the informal consultations I have had, there is not the necessary unanimity.
France has already declared Ben-Gvir persona non grata, and the Netherlands and Spain have banned his entry. Italy had also called for European-level action but has not taken national measures.
Step toward settlement import ban
The ministers made progress on trade restrictions. Under pressure from a majority of member states, Kallas will ask the European Commission to prepare a list of options for possible trade measures, including an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements.
I will ask the Commission to prepare, before the next Foreign Affairs Council, a list of options for possible trade measures, including measures aimed at preventing imports from illegal settlements.
A simple majority of 14 countries is enough to request such a proposal from the Commission, and if the Commission fails to cooperate it must justify itself. Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica indicated she had received the message, averting a formal confrontation.
- Hamas attack on Israel triggers Gaza war
- Iran war begins, increasing settler violence in the West Bank
- EU imposes sanctions on violent Israeli settlers
- EU fails to agree on Ben-Gvir sanctions, asks Commission for trade options
Divisions within the EU
Germany led opposition to the sanctions, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying they were not appropriate now. Italy, among others, wants to study the legal options before committing. A diplomatic source noted:
The capitals reminded the Commission who commands.
Broader context
The West Bank has seen a sharp rise in violence since the October 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war. An Iran conflict that began in late February 2026 has further fuelled settler attacks. The EU already imposed sanctions on violent settlers in May 2026. At the Luxembourg meeting, ministers also stressed that any ceasefire must cover Lebanon.
