EU fails to reach consensus on sanctions against Israeli minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir

European foreign ministers met in Luxembourg and foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc could not secure the unanimity required to sanction Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir. While many member states had proposed economic restrictions and visa bans, countries including Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic opposed the move, preventing a joint sanction.

The meeting also addressed trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Several states, led by Sweden and France, called for the EU Commission to draft options to block imports from the settlements, but no concrete proposal was adopted before the next foreign ministers’ council on July 13. The debate reflects growing EU pressure on Israel over settlement activity and the minister’s conduct toward detained activists.

No sanctions were agreed, and the EU’s next steps will focus on preparing a list of possible trade measures, while individual member states continue to impose their own visa bans and investigations.