EU's top diplomat asks member states to sanction some Israeli ministers

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday that he had asked member states to consider imposing sanctions on some Israeli ministers, but did not say who he was targeting.

"I initiated the procedure to ask the member states if they consider [it] appropriate to include in our list of sanctions some Israeli ministers [who] have been launching unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians, and proposing things that clearly go against international law," Borrell told reporters ahead of an informal meeting with EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.

The foreign ministers meeting is set to focus on the war in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. The issue could come up again at the EU summit that will take place in Brussels Sept. 2–3.

On Tuesday, Borrell said he intends to ask member states to impose joint sanctions on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Borrell's request requires unanimous approval by all 27 EU members. Israeli diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor that the chances of such an approval are low, especially since Hungary, a friend of Israel, currently holds the presidency of the EU Council. Israel is also hoping for a change of tone in Brussels after Borrell steps down at the end of the year and is replaced by former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.