France's foreign minister has said that the European Union could soon launch a new round of sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of fuelling violence in Palestinian territories. This comes as Paris has stated that a repeat of an incident in Jerusalem – that saw Israeli security forces entering a French-administered property – 'must never happen again'.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has announced the possibility of a new round of European Union sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of exacerbating violence in Palestinian territories.
Speaking at the Paris Peace Forum on Monday, Barrot highlighted France's previous imposition of sanctions against 28 violent settlers and emphasised the EU's active role in considering further sanctions, which may soon be implemented.
"We are deeply attached to the security of Israel," Barrot stated, underscoring the need for international law and justice to prevail in the interest of both Israeli and Palestinian security.
Barrot also reaffirmed France's commitment to a two-state solution during his recent visit to the West Bank.
After discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah last week, he remarked that ongoing settlement activities pose a serious threat to the prospects for a durable peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
French concerns are shared internationally, with the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK also implementing sanctions against extremist settlers.
France's chief diplomat also called for the reform of the United Nations Security Council "so that when the security council speaks then the entire world is speaking and therefore the entire world is listening.”
No repeat of 'Jerusalem incident'
In an interview with RFI and France 24 this Tuesday, Barrot underlined that a repeat of an incident in Jerusalem that saw armed Israeli security forces entering a property administered by France must never happen again.
Ahead of summoning Israel's envoy to Paris over the matter, Barrot told RFI "it is an opportunity for France to reiterate that it will not tolerate Israeli armed forces entering these areas, for which it [France] is responsible, for which it ensures protection".
On 7 November, two French security officials with diplomatic status were briefly detained after the French foreign minister was due to visit the compound of The Church of the Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives.
The site, one of four administered by France in Jerusalem, is under Paris' responsibility and it not the first time that problems have arisen over France's historic holdings in the Holy City.
Diplomatic relations between France and Israel have worsened since President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to the supply to Israel of offensive weapons used in Gaza and attempted to ban Israeli weapons' firms from exhibiting at a trade fair in Paris earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the potential visit of far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to the French capital has also raised concerns over exacerbating Franco-Israeli tensions.
During his interview with RFI, Barrot stated he had not yet received confirmation of Smotrich's attendance at the "Israel is Forever" gala – an event hosted by far-right figures – intended to support Israel.
The gala is set to take place just prior to a football match between France and Israel, with authorities classifying the event as "high-risk" following last Thursday's violence in Amsterdam on the sidelines of a match involving Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Smotrich has made headlines with his promises to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank by 2025, amid fears this will escalate the conflict.
Israel names new ambassador to US
This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Yechiel Leiter as the new ambassador to the United States.
US-born Leiter – who previously served as the chief of staff in the finance ministry and has a deep understanding of American culture and politics – was described by Netanyahu as a highly capable diplomat.
His appointment has been particularly welcomed by the Yesha Council – which represents Jewish settlements in the West Bank – underling the widening gap between Israel's internal policy and international law which has ruled the settlement of occupied territories is illegal.
Following Donald Trump's recent re-election victory, his staunch support for Israel has been celebrated by many in the region, with Leiter's appointment seen as a move to strengthen Israeli government policies in the United States.
Last year, Leiter's son was killed in the Gaza war against Palestinian militant group Hamas while serving with the Israeli Defence Forces.
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