PARIS: France said on Wednesday that the European Union should consider sanctions on Israeli settlers who have targeted Palestinians in the West Bank.

UN figures show that daily settler attacks have more than doubled since Oct 7 and the ensuing assault on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in the violence this year.

“We believe that the international community has a role to play to end these acts of violence which are extremely desta­b­ilising for the regi­on, but also harm the prospects for a two state-solu­tion,” For­eign Min­istry spokesperson Anne-Claire Lege­ndre told a weekly news briefing.

She said no options were excluded, including Euro­pean Union sanctions on violent individuals.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and it has been under military occupation since, while Israeli settlements have consistently expanded. Palest­inians envisage the West Bank as part of a future independent state also including Gaza and East Jerusalem.

A French diplomatic source said Paris favoured EU sanctions, but that a debate in the bloc had yet to begin on the issue.

The United States has said it is prepared to issue visa bans against “extremists” attacking civilians in the West Bank.

Legendre also said talks were progressing in Brussels to impose sanctions — asset freezes and travel bans — on Hamas commanders.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2023