West Bank, Tajani: ‘The most effective framework for tackling the settlers is within the EU; national measures are weak’

To curb settler violence in the West Bank, action must be taken at European level. ‘The expansion of settlements (in the West Bank, ed.) is unacceptable. No one can tolerate settler violence. No one can justify actions that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution. The question is which tools to use to have a real impact on this behaviour. We are convinced that, on matters of this kind, the only effective legal and political framework is that of the European Union.” These are the words of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, who spoke on Wednesday 16 September in the Chamber of Deputies during Question Time. The government is therefore continuing to consult with its European Union partners on restrictive measures targeting goods produced in the settlements. “Only a unified response at European level can, in fact, guarantee measures that are truly effective and consistent,” emphasised the leader of Forza Italia.

“To target the activities and sources of funding of violent settlers in a focused and effective manner,” explained the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “measures are needed at European level. That is why we chose from the outset to address the issue within the European framework. National measures rest on weak legal foundations, with the risk of having limited impact and of being easily circumvented. This is also why only seven EU countries have announced measures such as those announced by the United Kingdom, France and Canada,” Tajani went on to point out. “At the EU Council of Ministers, we have already supported three packages of sanctions targeting violent settlers and the organisations that support their activities. We are among the proponents of a fourth package currently under discussion, with a view to its swift approval. And we continue to call for sanctions against Israeli Minister Ben Gvir, for his entirely unjustifiable behaviour,’ stated the Deputy Prime Minister. In particular, according to Tajani, “sanctions must be targeted at those who incite hatred and violence, without indiscriminately affecting Israeli civil society. The risk is that this could embolden extremists”.

“We will continue to engage with our EU partners to identify further measures at forthcoming meetings, including on the issue of settlements and related economic activities, whilst seeking the most effective solutions,” Tajani continued. “Our aim is to put an end to settler violence, halt the expansion of settlements and preserve the only political prospect for a lasting peace: two states that can live side by side in peace and security. It is towards this objective that we will continue to work, with seriousness and consistency, in Europe and with all our partners in the region. This will also be the message I will convey in all my meetings next week at the United Nations in New York and at the new meeting of the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution, which is a direct follow-up to the one I hosted on 29 July in Rome with Saudi Minister Faisal,” the minister concluded.