New European sanctions against Israeli settlers are being discussed.

France indicated on Sunday that new sanctions targeting Israeli settlers could be decided in the coming days, amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank and increased violence linked to settlement expansion.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that these measures are in line with the sanctions already adopted at the end of May by the European Union against certain settlers and organizations accused of supporting acts of violence against Palestinians.

According to Paris, the situation on the ground has deteriorated in recent weeks, with a rise in violent incidents and an acceleration of settlement expansion projects deemed illegal under international law. These developments have reignited diplomatic tensions between several European states and Israel.

Discussions within the EU are focused on expanding the sanctions framework, which could include more individual restrictions, such as travel bans and asset freezes. No official timetable has yet been confirmed, but several diplomats suggest a swift decision is possible if the situation continues to deteriorate.

Israel did not immediately respond to the French statements. Israeli authorities regularly dispute the legal status of settlements in the West Bank and maintain that they are necessary for security reasons.

This new European initiative comes at a time when the region remains marked by strong instability, in a context of broader tensions in the Middle East and increasing diplomatic pressure on all parties involved.