France imposes sanctions on 28 Israeli 'extremist settlers'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Feb 2024 17:36
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Drawing an allegedly distinct line between Israeli settlers and "extremist settlers", the French Foreign Ministry says 28 "extremist Israeli settlers" are now prohibited from entering French territory.

Israeli Police Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, distributing weapons to settlers in the West Bank (AFP via Getty Images)

Following in the footsteps of the United States of America and the United Kingdom, France announced the imposition of sanctions on 28 "extremist Israeli settlers" accused of perpetrating human rights abuses against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.

Drawing an allegedly distinct line between Israeli settlers and "extremist settlers", the French Foreign Ministry stated that 28 "extremist Israeli settlers" are now prohibited from entering French territory.

Furthermore, the Ministry strongly denounced the "unacceptable" violence carried out by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population.

"It the responsibility of the Israeli authorities to put an end to it and to prosecute those who commit it," it added.

France will also pursue sanctions at the European level, according to the statement.

The French decision follows the United Kingdom's move, on Monday, to impose sanctions on four "extremist Israeli settlers" accused of human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The United States had previously declared sanctions against one of the settlers, along with three others, on February 1, citing what it termed as "intolerable" violence.

"Colonisation is illegal under international law and must cease," the French Foreign Ministry added, saying it was "incompatible with the establishment of a viable Palestinian state."

It is worth noting that Israeli occupation forces and settlers have killed at least 390 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 7, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

'Israel' troubled by US sanctions on MKs, forces, settlers in W. Bank

The Israeli occupation's Kan public broadcaster cited an internal Foreign Ministry memorandum that the United States will issue sanctions backed by the Leahy laws against settlers, forces, and ministers if "Israel" does not hand over an explanation for the "gross violations of human rights" in the occupied West Bank within 60 days.

The memorandum was reportedly penned by representatives from the Foreign Ministry and the IOF's Military Advocate Corps to whom US State Department officials have expressed concern by the Biden administration regarding the settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

With that being said, the Leahy laws are US statutory provisions forbidding aid to foreign military units given "credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights."

The Kan report stated that Israeli occupation soldiers, members of the Knesset, ministers, and settlers in the West Bank suspected of the violations will be affected by the sanctions if put into place.

Kan diplomatic correspondent Suleiman Maswadeh said the occupation's officials are "very, very worried" regarding the possibility of sanctions, which is due to be discussed next week.

It is worth noting that the possibility of sanctions by the US has been constantly brought up for the past two months, but it has been all bark and no bite.