L'Espagne exhorte l'UE à agir contre les ministres israéliens d'extrême droite

Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, has called on the European Union to take decisive action against Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, urging the bloc to impose travel bans and other sanctions on the officials over their alleged violations of international law. Speaking during a meeting of EU foreign ministers hosted by Ireland, Albares emphasized that the EU must act to uphold democratic values and ensure that Israeli leaders behave in accordance with international norms. Albares highlighted that several EU countries, including Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, have already implemented national measures restricting the entry of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich into their territories. These actions effectively label the ministers as persona non grata. However, proposed EU-wide sanctions have faced repeated obstacles, notably from Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the current hard-right Czech government. Such sanctions require unanimous agreement among all 27 EU member states to be enacted. Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, has drawn criticism for his inflammatory rhetoric targeting Palestinians and pro-Gaza activists. His comments, often described as dehumanizing, have sparked widespread condemnation both within and outside Israel. Similarly, Smotrich has been accused of promoting policies that undermine the rights of Palestinians and challenge the principles of international law. In his remarks, Albares stressed that EU members must demonstrate solidarity in addressing these issues. He pointed out that the bloc has previously taken steps to restrict trade with goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Spain, under its left-leaning government, has enforced a national ban on such products, underscoring the importance of translating political commitments into tangible actions. Albares argued that supporting the two-state solution requires more than symbolic gestures, it demands concrete policy changes. During the discussions, other EU representatives echoed similar concerns. Ireland’s foreign minister, Helen McEntee, raised the issue of Israel’s E1 settlement plan, which seeks to expand Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem. She warned that this plan could irreversibly harm the viability of a two-state resolution. McEntee urged the EU to respond firmly to breaches of international law, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to protect the interests of the Palestinian people. The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions within the EU regarding how to balance diplomatic relations with Israel while upholding human rights standards. The informal Gymnich meeting, held in Druids Glen, County Wicklow, serves as a platform for EU nations to discuss pressing foreign policy matters. As Ireland assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the meeting highlights the country’s role in facilitating dialogue and decision-making processes among member states. With the situation remaining unresolved, the focus will likely shift to whether the EU can overcome internal divisions and adopt unified measures against Israeli officials deemed to be acting contrary to democratic principles and international law. The outcome of these deliberations will shape the EU’s approach to engaging with Israel in the coming months.