France coordinating with countries on sanctions against West Bank settler violence, diplomats say

PARIS, France — France is working with several countries to step up pressure on Israel by pressing ahead with coordinated national sanctions targeting individuals linked to violence in the West Bank, three European diplomats say.

The measures, which would include asset freezes and travel bans, have yet to be finalized and countries may adopt different lists of individuals, the diplomats say.

The move comes amid escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and underscores anger in many Western countries toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The diplomats say that with efforts blocked at the European Union to advance tougher measures against Israel, several countries had concluded that coordinated national sanctions were the best option for now.

“There is no unanimity at the EU level, so we have moved to discussions at the national level,” one diplomat says.

Two of the diplomats say the announcement will be in the coming days.

Another diplomat says Britain and Norway were among the countries France was coordinating with, although it remained unclear who else could join.