France, allies eye coordinated sanctions to pressure Israel over West Bank, diplomats say

EU deadlock on Israel measures pushes some countries toward national measures, expected to be imposed within days; France to host civil society, ministerial meeting on June 12

France is working with several countries to impose coordinated national sanctions targeting individuals linked to violence in the West Bank. The measures are expected to be imposed within days, with France hosting a civil society and ministerial meeting on June 12 to discuss the issue. Three European diplomats confirmed the plans, citing a deadlock in EU measures against Israel as the reason for pursuing national sanctions. The sanctions will likely target individuals and entities involved in settlement activities or violence against Palestinians.

The sanctions could disrupt global trade, particularly in the tech and manufacturing sectors, which could lead to increased costs for consumers. For instance, companies like Intel and Microsoft have significant operations in Israel, and any disruption to their supply chains could impact the prices of their products. This could result in higher prices for electronics and software, affecting households that rely on these products. The impact on global trade could also lead to job market shifts in industries that rely on international trade.

The move by France and its allies is part of a larger pattern of increasing international pressure on Israel over its policies in the West Bank. The EU has been deadlocked on imposing collective sanctions, leading individual countries to pursue national measures. Insiders know that the US has been quietly opposing EU sanctions, while publicly calling for a two-state solution. This has created a divide between the US and its European allies, with the latter seeking to take a more active role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The meeting on June 12 will be a key indicator of the level of international support for the sanctions, with several European countries expected to announce their participation. A decision by the EU to impose collective sanctions is unlikely, but individual countries may announce their own measures in the coming weeks. The Israeli government has already begun to prepare for the potential impact of the sanctions, with officials reportedly meeting with business leaders to discuss contingency plans. Surprisingly, some Israeli companies are already exploring alternatives to European markets, with several major firms considering investments in China and India.