STRASBOURG: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday backed imposing sanctions on “extremist” Israeli settlers responsible for attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.

“The rise in violence by extremist settlers is inflicting immense suffering on the Palestinians. It undermines the prospects for a lasting peace and could further exacerbate regional instability,” the European Commission president told EU lawmakers.

“I am in favour of sanctioning those involved in the attacks in the West Bank. They must be held accountable”, she said adding that this violence must stop. Von der Leyen’s comments come after European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that he would put forward a proposal to sanction the West Bank settlers.

The measures would require the unanimous backing of the EU’s 27 member states, but there are divisions within the bloc.

The EU move comes after the United States said last week it would refuse visas to settlers behind a wave of violence in the West Bank, in a rare rebuke to its close ally Israel.

The EU has failed to have a united stance on the violence roiling the Middle East since the Oct 7.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of those leading the calls for restraint from Israel, demanded an immediate ceasefire.

“We must say enough is enough, enough to the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza,” Sanchez, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, told the European Parliament. “The bombing must stop immediately.”

Meanwhile, in the West Bank Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces forcefully detain theatre staff in Jenin.

The US-based theatre group said they have identified their staff members Mustafa Sheta and Ahmed Tobasi, were taken from their homes.

“We have no information on the whereabouts or condition of these two vital members of a beloved cultural institution in Jenin. The last word we had from Ahmed Tobasi was, ‘They are going house to house. They are taking everyone,’” the organisation said in a statement.

“More than 100 Palestinians have been seized in Jenin … The Israeli army has repeatedly, violently invaded the Jenin refugee camp where The Freedom Theatre is situated, with each attack escalating in violence”, it added.

At least six people have been killed in the latest invasion, which saw armoured bulldozers tearing up streets, drones dropping bombs on Palestinian homes, and a siege of the hospital blocking ambulances.

“The Israeli army has killed 58 people in Jenin alone since Oct 7, including children,” the statement said.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2023