Pressure is mounting within the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel over its expansion of settlements and violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. On Friday, an EU spokesperson urged Israel to cease the legalization of settlement outposts, land appropriation, demolitions, and forced evictions of Palestinians, actions deemed to undermine the viability of a two-state solution.

This call follows Israel’s security cabinet approval of 1.3 billion shekels ($427.8 million) to establish 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. The United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and most countries consider Israeli settlements in territory occupied since 1967 to be illegal under international law.

The situation has escalated with reports that two Palestinian children were hospitalized after Israeli settlers allegedly threw stones at their family’s vehicle in the Wadi al-Sha’er area, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Additionally, Israeli settlers attacked Sinjil town in the occupied West Bank.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated ahead of EU foreign ministers’ talks in Brussels, “Everybody agrees that the situation in the West Bank is really intolerable.” The European Union has reiterated its warning that continued settlement construction and unilateral measures threaten the future viability of a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, the Church of England has expressed support for Palestinian Christians despite facing backlash, highlighting the broader international concern over the situation.

Sources