France urges EU to apply Crimea-style sanctions on Israeli settlements

PARIS, France — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on the European Union on Wednesday to halt trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory and impose sanctions on them, urging the bloc to adopt the trade and investment restrictions it applied to Crimea after Russia’s 2014 annexation. Barrot described settler violence in the West Bank as "shameful" and "disgusting," saying it made new sanctions necessary. The European Union imposed trade and investment restrictions on Moscow as part of its non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Barrot said the bloc should apply a similar framework to Israeli settlements. Barrot’s comments come as European governments weigh further measures against Israel over its settlement expansion and the conduct of settlers in the West Bank. France has been among the EU member states pushing for a more coordinated response. No further details on the proposed EU measures were immediately available.