Ireland urges EU to tighten measures over Gaza and West Bank situation

Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee has called on the European Union to impose sanctions on those responsible for the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

According to Report's European bureau, speaking to journalists ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, McEntee said the EU must take action rather than remain passive observers, particularly regarding Gaza.

"In my view, the EU must act, and we cannot continue to remain bystanders, especially when it comes to Gaza," she said.

She announced that Ireland, together with Spain and Slovenia, will push for sanctions against "aggressively minded settlers" in the West Bank and individuals who support them, expressing hope that there could be full consensus within the Council.

McEntee also said Dublin will advocate suspending the trade component of the EU–Israel Association Agreement and tightening restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements.

"It is absolutely necessary that we act in line with international law," she stressed, adding that such trade is illegal.

The minister said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, while violence by settlers in the West Bank is increasing.

Commenting on the prospects for agreement, she noted a "clear shift" among EU member states toward a tougher response.

"At the last meeting, many member states expressed for the first time in a long while a desire to do more," she said.

McEntee said that an agreement on sanctions against settlers could be reached at the current meeting, while discussions on trade restrictions related to settlements are likely to continue at a subsequent Council session.

She also reiterated support for continued sanctions against Russia, saying existing measures are putting pressure on the Russian economy and its ability to finance the war.

"It is very important that we continue to focus on sanctions. It is very clear that the current packages are working," she said.