Germany Wants to Ban Radical Israelis: Controversial Steps Ahead
Why ban Iranian executioners but not Israeli settlers? That's the question Germany's traffic light coalition is now faced with.
Reports suggest that the German government intends to bar individuals who have committed acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank from entering the country. This move seems to follow the lead of the United States.
The Jewish Central Council's Perspective:
The Jewish Central Council weighed in on the issue, stating that the challenge of extremist settlers in the West Bank is a domestic matter for Israel. It emphasized the importance of not equating the settler movement with Hamas.
According to the council, Germany, as the EU's largest military supporter of Israel, hasn't the same position or influence as the US. Thus, it advised caution before implementing such measures.
The US Takes Action
Just last week, the US imposed visa sanctions on extremist Jewish settlers engaged in acts of violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. The goal: to deny entry to individuals fueling peace, security, or stability disruptions in the West Bank.
Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, voiced sharp criticism against the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. He described the situation as "catastrophic and apocalyptic," with around 60 to 70% of the victims being civilians and the destruction surpassing that seen in German cities during World War II.
The Gaza War Instigated by Extremist Groups
The Gaza war began on October 7 as a response to Hamas' massive attack on Israel. The radical Islamist Palestinian organization launched a violent assault from the Gaza Strip, resulting in an intense Israeli reaction targeting military targets within the Gaza Strip.
EU's Advocacy for New Sanctions Framework
Germany, France, and Italy are pushing for a new EU sanctions framework to impose penalties on individual members of Hamas and its supporters. Borrell revealed no opposition to this proposal at the Council of Ministers, potentially paving the way for swift decision-making.
Enrichment Insights:
The Jewish Central Council and the EU have not voiced explicit support or opposition to banning radical Israeli settlers from entering Germany. However, the issue is connected to the ongoing Middle East conflict and the EU's stance on Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
The EU regularly condemns Israeli settlements, expressing concern about potential human rights abuses associated with them. The EU's policy aligns with international law by opposing the Israeli settlement enterprise and its associated violations.
In contrast, Germany has faced criticism for its support of Israel, particularly concerning calls for peacebuilding efforts and its withdrawal of funding from organizations like Zochrot that challenge militaristic actions.
