Ben Gvir calls EU ‘antisemitic’ as bloc sanctions Israeli settlers

AI Summary

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has condemned the European Union for sanctioning Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians, labeling the bloc as 'antisemitic'. He vowed to continue settlement expansions despite the sanctions, which he perceives as biased.

Ben Gvir calls EU ‘antisemitic’ as bloc sanctions Israeli settlers Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has condemned the European Union after it moved to sanction Israeli settlers accused of carrying out violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Writing on X on Monday, Ben Gvir accused the bloc of bias and dismissed its actions. "To expect the antisemitic union to make a moral decision is like expecting the sun to rise in the west. While our enemies perpetrate attacks and murder Jews, the European Union is trying to tie the hands of those who defend themselves," he said. He also vowed to press ahead with settlement expansion despite the measures. "The settlement enterprise will not be deterred. We will continue to build, to plant, to defend, and to settle throughout the entire land of Israel." The sanctions were confirmed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said they target settlers involved in attacks on Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar lashed out at the move, saying the EU was “imposing sanctions on Israeli citizens and bodies because of their political views and without any basis”.