Why EU Sanctions Against Israeli Ministers Remain Stalled

The list of countries barring Smotrich now includes France, the UK, Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These nations point to his active promotion of annexation and the displacement of at least 117 Palestinian communities since 2023. France has further expanded its stance by sanctioning National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, following his public humiliation of Gaza aid workers. Despite this, the EU bloc remains gridlocked. Because individual sanctions require total unanimity among the 27 member states, the divide between nations pushing for pressure—such as Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain—and those advocating for restraint prevents a unified policy. High Representative Kaja Kallas has managed to secure sanctions against individual violent settlers, but targeting high-ranking government officials remains a bridge too far for the Council. Even trade-based measures, which require only a qualified majority, are currently sidelined. The European Commission has avoided committing to an embargo on products originating from illegal settlements, despite mounting pressure from civil society. For now, goods from these territories continue to enter the EU under standard tariffs, illustrating that the lack of progress is a calculated political choice rather than a technical hurdle.