Brussels, May 11, 2026 (Lusa) – Portugal’s foreign minister on Monday called for the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions on two "radical" Israeli ministers, saying that this would send a “strong signal”, despite acknowledging little likelihood of the measure being approved.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Paulo Rangel said that the Portuguese government “has always advocated for more sanctions against settlers” in the West Bank, a measure European diplomats are expected to approve on Monday.
“We are also in favour, although we believe this will not be possible, that the two radical ministers should be sanctioned and that there should be stronger trade measures,” he said, referring to the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, from the Israeli government ultranationalist wing, who have been sanctioned by countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
He said that, in recent months, “there have been very negative developments, with Israel approving dozens of new settlements”, describing this as a serious matter and calling on the EU not to miss the opportunity to take a firm stand.
“I believe we should not leave the Council of Europe without sending a strong signal that the situation, whether in the West Bank, in Gaza or even in Lebanon, has deteriorated significantly, and that the signals the Israeli army has been sending are far from positive,” he said.
However, Rangel pointed out that if the two Israeli ministers are not included in Monday's sanctions package, the EU will be sending a positive signal if it adopts restrictive measures against violent settlers and if it decides to restrict trade with West Bank settlements.
“We believe a stronger signal should have been sent, but if this one is sent: new sanctions against violent settlers and restrictions on trade or a suspension of trade in products originating from there, that would be a positive signal, and Portugal will be at the forefront in supporting these sanctions,” he said, adding that there is still a chance for ministers to approve these trade restrictions.
Regarding the potential suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Rangel confirmed that Portugal supports the measure, but said that neither a total nor partial suspension is expected to be approved during this meeting.
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