Ursula von der Leyen condemns Israel's West Bank settlement expansion and urges EU sanctions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu for expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the move "abominable" and a direct blow to a two‑state solution. She urged EU member states to vote on suspending the EU‑Israel Association Agreement and to consider sanctions against Israeli minister of national security Itamar Ben‑Gvir. von der Leyen emphasized that the EU is the largest humanitarian aid donor to Gaza, having allocated more than €2.7 billion and delivered over 5,600 tons of supplies since October 23. The remarks were made in Cork, Ireland, alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin during the launch of Ireland’s six‑month EU Council presidency. No decision on the proposed measures has been taken, as approval requires a qualified majority of EU members.