European Union member states have failed to reach a consensus on imposing sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced Monday. The announcement came after discussions where several EU states had proposed economic restrictions against the far-right minister.

Kallas stated that while "many" EU nations supported the sanctions, "no consensus on that was reached today." The requirement for unanimity among all member states meant the proposal could not be approved. The EU’s chief diplomat did not name the countries opposing the sanctions, but Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic are reportedly among those resistant to the move.

Ben-Gvir faced criticism from several individual EU states following his alleged mockery of detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli soldiers had detained the activists last month as they attempted to reach Gaza. A widely circulated video showed Ben-Gvir appearing to taunt activists who were kneeling with their hands bound.

The failure to agree on sanctions against Ben-Gvir comes as the EU considers broader measures related to the occupied West Bank. Kallas indicated that a significant number of member states also requested the European Commission to prepare options for limiting trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank. "I will convey this request and ask the Commission to prepare... a list of options for possible trade measures, including measures aimed at preventing imports of goods originating from illegal settlements," she said.

Last month, the EU took a significant step by moving for the first time to impose economic restrictions on individuals identified as violent settlers responsible for human rights abuses in the West Bank. This move represented an escalation of EU pressure on Israel regarding its settlement policies.

Individual EU countries have also taken separate actions. Italy has launched an investigation into allegations of kidnapping and torture involving Italian citizens who were part of the Gaza flotilla. French prosecutors have initiated their own inquiries into alleged war crimes and torture.

These developments occur within a broader context of increasing EU scrutiny of Israeli actions. In April, Italy suspended a bilateral defense agreement with Israel. The EU, being Israel’s largest trading partner, holds considerable economic leverage.

The lack of unanimity on sanctions against Minister Ben-Gvir highlights the divisions within the EU regarding how to respond to actions by Israeli officials and the issue of illegal settlements. The focus now shifts to the Commission's upcoming proposals on trade measures concerning West Bank settlements, which could represent a more unified EU approach.