The concern in Israel – European sanctions may leak to businesses across the country

A European campaign led by Britain, France, and Sweden is pressuring the Trump administration to intensify measures against Israel on settlement construction in the West Bank and nationalist crime. In Israel, concern is growing that the economic sanctions, already announced by 12 countries, will expand beyond the Green Line and directly harm companies and businesses in Israel. Israeli diplomats note that in Washington, too, attention to the issue is increasing.

A broad European campaign, led by Britain, France, and Sweden, is pushing the Trump administration to intensify measures against Israel on two central issues: construction in settlements in Judea and Samaria and incidents of nationalist crime. The move comes against the backdrop of security establishment warnings of an escalation on the ground. In early September, 12 countries announced extensive economic sanctions in Judea and Samaria, an escalation from personal sanctions. Now, in discussions in Israel, concern is growing that the sanctions will not stop beyond the Green Line but will leak inward and directly harm companies and businesses operating within the Green Line. Meanwhile, Israeli diplomats emphasize that in Washington, too, attention to Israeli actions is growing, and Europe is increasing direct pressure on American administration officials to move from condemnations to concrete steps. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the pressures in his speech at the UN General Assembly, which his associates will define as a "struggle for the truth." The central topic of the speech will remain the Iranian threat.