Belgium urges EU sanctions on Israeli 'extremists'

The EU should look at barring "extremist" Israelis who call for violence against Palestinians from visiting Europe, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Thursday.

The liberal premier pointed to Israeli violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and said the lack of action against such "violent extremists" was "unacceptable".

"Our country must ensure that those who commit serious crimes, for example, those who commit violence in the West Bank, can be prevented from entering our country and the European Union," De Croo told the Belgian parliament.

He suggested there could be sanctions on individuals, including "a minister who calls for the use of nuclear weapons against a population that cannot do anything and that already lives today in horrible conditions".

War broke out in Gaza after Hamas's 7 October attack killed more than 1,400 people in Israel.

The Israeli military launched an operation in the besieged trip that has killed more than 10,800 people.

But it is not the first time Israel, which has occupied Gaza and other Palestinian land for decades, has carried out an assault on the enclave.

The latest war has also exacerbated tensions in the West Bank, where at least 170 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed since 7 October, according to officials on both sides.

Eight EU countries including Belgium last month voted in favour of a non-binding resolution calling for an "immediate humanitarian truce".

EU foreign ministers will discuss the conflict during a meeting on Monday.