Overview
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday that member states do not yet have the unanimity needed to impose EU‑level sanctions on Itamar Ben‑Gvir.
- A large number of countries have moved on their own by imposing national visa or travel bans, with France, Ireland and Poland among those taking action.
- Footage of Ben‑Gvir taunting Gaza‑bound flotilla activists and allegations of detainee abuse prompted criminal probes in Italy and France and intensified calls for penalties.
- At least 15 member states are prepared to consider a ban on goods from West Bank settlements but the European Commission has not presented the legal proposal needed to trigger an EU measure.
- The bloc is split over the next steps because EU sanctions require unanimity while certain trade steps can pass by a weighted majority, and some governments say they will block tougher EU measures to protect bilateral ties and research cooperation.