Czech government backs down, only the Orbán government vetoes EU sanctions against Israel
The possibility of a Hungarian veto has come up again. Violence in the predominantly Palestinian West Bank has sharply escalated since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October. The European Union is now preparing a measure similar to the recent one sanctioned by the US Government, which targeted Jewish settlers who aggressively evicted Palestinians in the West Bank.
The West Bank, primarily inhabited by Palestinians, faces an influx of Israeli settlers in growing numbers. Among them are extremists resorting to threats, beatings and vandalism to coerce local Palestinian residents into vacating their homes, enabling the expansion of Israeli settlements. According to reports from the Independent, President Biden has granted authorisation for the United States Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens involved in forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank or other regions, regardless of official support. National Security spokesman John Kirby later clarified that Israeli political leaders are currently not targeted for sanctions, and emphasised that the sanctions were implemented in coordination with the Israeli government. Following the decision, President Biden addressed Congress, emphasising that the situation in the West Bank, marked by what he described as “a significant escalation of violence by extremist settlers,” constitutes a national security emergency.
The EU’s reaction
Despite the majority of European Union countries supporting sanctions against Israeli settlers similar to those imposed by the US, including Spain, Germany, France, Ireland and Belgium, the sanctions have yet to be implemented. The delay in implementing the sanction was due to the Hungarian government vetoing it. The conflict between Hamas and Israel has caused division within the European Union, as highlighted by an EU Diplomat who stated:
“It’s a disgrace, Europe is nowhere in this discussion. [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen is burned. [The EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep] Borrel is not taken seriously inside or outside the EU.”
The EU has already sanctioned the Palestinian militant group Hamas, targeting their financial streams and several individuals. While a proposal for sanctions against Israeli settlers was made in December, member countries informally lean towards agreeing on Hamas sanctions first before addressing sanctions against extremist settlers. Following the announcement of the veto, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the Hungarian Government’s opposition to the measure. He expressed his belief that it would only exacerbate tensions in the Middle East. Read details HERE: Hungary against sanctioning Israel
Czech Government Backtracks
Yesterday, news broke that the Czech Government intended to join the Hungarian Government in vetoing the proposed sanctions. However, today, the Czech Government reversed its decision and is no longer opposing the European Union’s sanctions against aggressive Israeli settlers according to Politico. The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavsky, provided insight into this change of stance, stating:
“Terrorism is not on the same level as the actions of the settlers, the two should not be linked.”
After the Czech Government withdrew its support for the veto, the Hungarian Government appears to remain steadfast in its opposition to the sanctions.
Read Also:
It doesn’t matter the issue. Everyone is in consensus but Orban whips out the A-Hole veto every time. It really is getting monotonous. Doesn’t this constant situation of being the only one not to agree indicate that you don’t belong in the organization?
But, but, but…we keep being told that the “populists” and the “far Right” are a bunch of anti-Semit… – I mean, “anti-Zionists”!
Seems it’s actually the globalist-socialist Left that fits the bill far better.
Anyway, why this obsession with Israel? Yes, what some settlers are doing is reprehensible, but far worse is being done in many parts of the world, including in and by countries who are far closer (geographically, economically, politically) to the E.U. than Israel. Look at Turkey, look at Morocco, and most of all look at China! Yet, the EUrotrash singles out Israel, yet again. Butter my butt and call me a biscuit…
@Larry – our Politicians are right, all the other 26 Member States are wrong. Happens a lot, of late! Hungary is so special.
It’s deeper than the word meaning of astounding, remembering the growing PRESSURIZATION on personally Victor Orban, that wrongfully, we Hungarians are dealt an un-fair “Cruel Blow” the persistence, in seeing the name of our country HUMILIATED, by the present Prime Minister of our country – Victor Orban and his Government.
The decision by Victor Orban again and his Government, not to be part of the European Union Membership of Country’s – the “Stand Alone” – the “outsider” again, the objector – place position preferred, rather than being in uniformity, with the other 26 European Union Member country’s – to vote on Sanctions, against Israel.
Prior to this WRONGFUL decision by Victor Orban, all that is “on the table” waiting answers from the European Union, the Ukraine “turn around” the reactions, to his “about face” decision on the funding of the Ukraine by the European Union, the, on Victor Orban personally, and on Hungary, by Russia & China – what will be there reactions ?
Victor Orban – the Sweden “saga” retarded” by initially Turkey and Hungary, a “supposed” growing “Love Match” that saw Turkey “roll over” leaving again Hungary, the one sole objector to Sweden’s membership of N.A.T.O.
Orban – succumbed to pressures in the European Union, to vote in favour of Sweden’s membership, after the meeting called for by the POWER Players of the European Union, that saw Orban embarrassed even humiliated for the period in time that he had been an OBJECTOR to the Swedish request or invitation to join N.A.T.O.
Orban, it mounts dealing with him, on matters encased practiced followed under DEMOCRACY, his continual OBJECTIONARY stance he immediately adapts.
It is KNOWN, the “Friendship” enjoyed between the Israel “current” Prime Minister, and the “current” Prime Minister of Hungary.
RAMIFICATIONS – from an “about turn” voting for Sanctioning of Israel by the European Union, would act as another “add on” to the PRESSURIZED place that Victor Orban is presently placed.
Hungary – Victor Orban and his Government, still to FURBISH answer numerous matters relating to Laws of Membership in relation to the European Union, centered on Hungary’s failings of COMPLIANCE which what has continues to be exposed out of Brussels, is that Hungary in a place SERIOUSLY having been “Put on Notice” by the European Union, that time is rapidly running out, or our patience co-operation with Hungary – Victor Orban – Hungary – is nearing EXPIRATION.
It can’t be DISMISSED a call for a voting process in the European Union – 26 other members – tabled as a item a Vote, that is worded around either to retain Hungary as a Member, or through totally “un-reconcilable circumstances” – cease Hungary’s Membership.
Hungary – we continue to be HUMILIATED by Victor Orban and his Government.
The lives of Hungarians living in an Economy, not mentioning the “other” gargantuan “shambles & destructions” happening in “other” Core areas in the componentry of the Economy of Hungary, that are near on collapse, because, through the Orban “ways” we have NO Money.
The nadir of all this – what are we as a country, going to LEFT with ?
It is – FREIGHTENING.
Why would the EU support terrorist supporting palestinians. Not one palestinian went to the UN and told the truth that money supplied was used to buy weapons for hamas and build tunnels instead of infrastructure, e.g., electric generating stations.
The EU is so antisemitic that the next resolution they EP will vote on “from river to the sea” that is tantamount to genocide and the elimination of Israel.
All countries donating to the UN/ANWRA are complicit in the murder of 1200 Jewish people, the beheading babes and raping women by not providing oversight to how the money was spent. Moreover, employees of the UN/UNWRA actively participated in the attack on October 7,2024.
Hungary should stand firm against another holocaust.