EU foreign policy chief's call for sanctions was aimed at extremist Israeli Cabinet members: Spokesperson

By Melike Pala

ANKARA (AA) – When suggesting sanctions might be imposed on Israel, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was referring to Israeli Cabinet ministers who advocated cutting off humanitarian aid to Gaza, said Borrell’s spokesperson on Tuesday.

Asked whether EU member states agree with Borrell's remarks regarding sanctioning Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for their statements, Nabila Massrali said they were condemned by some members states as well as Borrell.

Massrali said Borrell had urged the Israeli government to distance itself from these two extremist officials, but declined to say whether all EU states agreed with the idea to sanction them.

Last week, Smotrich said that the death of 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from hunger might be “justified and moral” to secure the release of Israelis held by Hamas.

Ben-Gvir also called for halting the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel shipments into Gaza, which has faced a years-long Israeli blockade.

In response, Borrell called for imposing EU sanctions on the two for “incitement to war crimes.”

“While the world pushes for a cease-fire in Gaza, Min. Ben Gvir calls for cutting fuel and aid to civilians,” he said on X. “Like Min. Smotrich sinister statements, this is an incitement to war crimes. Sanctions must be on our EU agenda.”