Sweden calls Ben-Gvir’s actions reprehensible, but EU sanctions on Israel remain blocked

Despite growing criticism from several EU countries, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is still unable to gather the necessary consensus for sanctions against Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank.

"It's very frustrating. We think that we should move forward with measures that only require a qualified majority because we see that there are countries standing in the way of such decisions that require unanimity," says Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).

Despite the disagreement, she calls for continued pressure on Israel and, not least, Security Minister Ben-Gvir, who has been making provocative statements.

What we see in the West Bank is completely unacceptable and Ben-Gvir's actions are reprehensible, says the Foreign Minister.