France Coordinates National Sanctions Against West Bank Settlers

The Government of France is coordinating with allies, including Britain and Norway, to implement national sanctions against individuals and organizations linked to settler violence in the West Bank. These measures, which include asset freezes and travel bans, are being pursued at the national level because the European Union failed to reach the unanimity required for broader bloc-wide actions.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on June 7 that France may impose more stringent sanctions in the coming days. Barrot specified that targets should include not only the perpetrators of violence but also the companies and entities providing the means for extremist settlers to displace Palestinians and destroy property. This move follows escalating illegal settlement activity, specifically the E1 project east of Jerusalem, which diplomats suggest is intended to undermine the prospects for a future Palestinian state.

These developments follow a May 22 joint statement by seven Western nations calling on Israel to curb settler violence. The Israeli government has characterized such sanctions as arbitrary and political. To maintain international focus on the conflict and mark the anniversary of the New York Declaration, France will host a meeting in Paris on June 12 featuring foreign ministers and Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups.