French FM floats sanctions on Israel to increase aid to Gaza

News Desk - The Cradle

Foreign Minister Sejourne 'strongly condemned' Israel's killing of seven western aid workers last week but previously criticized South Africa for accusing Israel of genocide

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne speaks during a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart in Warsaw, on January 15, 2024. (Photo credit: Wojtek Radwanski/AFP)

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on 9 April that pressure, and possibly sanctions, must be imposed on Israel to force it to open crossings and allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

“There must be levers of influence, and there are multiple levers, going up to sanctions to let humanitarian aid cross checkpoints,” Sejourne told RFI radio and France 24 television.

"France was one of the first countries to propose European Union sanctions on Israeli settlers who are committing acts of violence in the West Bank. We will continue, if needed, to obtain the opening of humanitarian aid," he said.

During a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week, Sejourne said he "strongly condemned" Israel's killing of seven aid workers delivering food for World Central Kitchen.

"The protection of humanitarian personnel is a moral and legal imperative that everyone must adhere to," Sejourne said at a news conference with Blinken, referring to the Israeli air strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza.

"Nothing can justify such a tragedy," he added.

In January, Sejourne criticized South Africa for bringing genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“Accusing the Jewish state of genocide crosses a moral threshold. The notion of genocide cannot be exploited for political ends,” Sejourne told parliament.

Israeli bombing and ground operations have killed 33,207 Palestinians, the majority women and children, during the six-month war, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Israeli bombing has destroyed large swathes of the enclave, making most of its 2.3 million people homeless. Israel's tightened siege on Gaza and attacks on aid convoys have caused food shortages, leading to the starvation of Palestinians and the risk of famine. Rights groups have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war.

The war began on 7 October when Hamas attacked Israeli military bases and settlements to break the nearly two-decade siege on Gaza and win the release of thousands of Palestinians held captive in Israel's prisons.

The attack led to the deaths of 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians. Some were killed by Hamas, while others were killed by Israeli forces themselves using attack helicopters, tanks, and drones. Under the Hannibal Directive, Israeli troops killed some of their own civilians and soldiers to prevent Hamas from taking them captive for a prisoner exchange.