© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: European Union flags fly outdoors the European Fee in Brussels, Belgium November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Picture
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By Andrew Grey
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union international ministers on Monday think about potential subsequent steps in response to the Center East disaster, together with a crackdown on Hamas’s funds and journey bans for Israeli settlers answerable for violence within the West Financial institution.
At a gathering in Brussels, ministers from the bloc’s 27 international locations may also hear from Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba as they focus on future safety help to Kyiv.
Whereas EU officers insist serving to Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion stays a prime precedence, the eruption of the battle between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has compelled the bloc to focus anew on the Center East.
The battle has uncovered long-running and deep divisions on the broader Israeli-Palestinian battle amongst EU international locations.
However the ministers will attempt to discover widespread floor as they think about a dialogue paper from the EU’s diplomatic service that outlines a broad vary of potential subsequent steps.
Hamas is already listed by the European Union as a terrorist organisation, which means any funds or property that it has within the EU needs to be frozen.
The EU mentioned on Friday it had added Mohammed Deif, Commander Common of the navy wing of Hamas, and his deputy, Marwan Issa, to its record terrorists below sanction.
The dialogue paper – seen by Reuters – suggests the EU might go additional by concentrating on Hamas funds and disinformation.
EU international locations together with France and Germany have mentioned they’re already working collectively to advance such proposals.
Senior EU officers corresponding to international coverage chief Josep Borrell, have additionally expressed alarm at rising violence by Israeli settlers towards Palestinians within the occupied West Financial institution.
The paper suggests an EU response might embrace bans on journey to the EU for these accountable and different sanctions for violation of human rights.
France mentioned final month the EU ought to think about such measures. And Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo mentioned final week that “extremist settlers within the West Financial institution” could be banned from getting into the nation.
Diplomats mentioned it could be arduous to realize the unanimity obligatory for EU-wide bans, as international locations corresponding to Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary are staunch allies of Israel.
However some advised a call final week by the US, Israel’s greatest backer, to start out imposing visa bans on folks concerned in violence within the West Financial institution might encourage EU international locations to take comparable steps.
