EU foreign minister calls for sanctions against Israeli ministers

European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell plans to request that member states adopt a joint resolution to impose sanctions on Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Borrell's request needs the approval of all 27 EU member states.

Borrell's request follows a public call he made two weeks ago, in response to remarks by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Ben-Gvir had advocated for halting fuel and aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, while Smotrich had proposed starving all Palestinians in Gaza. 

Borell said in response to their remarks that "sanctions must be on our European Union agenda".