EU Considers Sanctions on Israeli Officials over GSF

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Guillaume Périgois

JAKARTA - The European Union will consider imposing sanctions on a number of senior Israeli officials following the detention of Global Sumud pro-Palestinian fleet activists, Politico reported, citing a draft final document for the EU summit scheduled for June 18-19.

According to the report, ambassadors of EU member states will discuss the possibility of imposing restrictions on senior members of the Israeli government for the first time on Wednesday.

"The European Council condemns the mistreatment of prisoners after the interception of the Global Sumud Fleet (GSF) in international waters," the draft document reads, as quoted by Politico as reported by Sputnik, Tuesday, June 2.

The document also states "inviting the Council of the European Union to continue discussions on restrictive measures against extremist ministers who incite and encourage such human rights violations."

The unnamed EU official told Politico the final decision would be taken after all member states had presented their views.

"We have to listen to the positions of all parties before reaching a final agreement," the official was quoted as saying by Politico.

The report also said the Czech Republic had expressed opposition to plans to impose sanctions on Israel.

Previously, the head of the Israeli National Security Authority Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video showing Israeli security forces forcing Global Sumud fleet activists who were detained to kneel, bow their faces to the floor, and tie them up.

Ben-Gvir himself appears in the video and delivers a statement that is said to be provocative against activists.

The Global Sumud fleet then reported about 30 cases of broken bones among its activists and accused the Israeli forces of harassing them.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is an international humanitarian convoy involving dozens of civilian ships from dozens of countries, which aims to break through the Israeli naval blockade in order to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

The movement was followed by hundreds of volunteers from various backgrounds, including environmental activists, journalists, medical personnel, and international politicians. Their ships carry emergency humanitarian aid such as high-protein food, clean water, milk, and essential medical supplies.

The GSF mission is a form of global solidarity and a peaceful effort to demand an end to the blockade and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. However, in its implementation, this fleet often faces obstacles, including interception in international waters by the Israeli military, which results in the detention of activists.