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Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonsson (left) and Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström speak to the media at the start of the European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on April 22. (Credit: Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

European foreign leaders on Monday called for sanctions against Iran and Israeli residents in the occupied West Bank ahead of a meeting of the European Foreign Affairs Council.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said ministers would discuss sanctions on Iran and added that he hoped “everyone would agree” to “a big package of sanctions”.

The United States has already expanded sanctions against Iran after it launched more than 300 missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for an alleged deadly Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus.

Borrell said sanctions against “violent settlers” in the West Bank should also be considered.

Violence by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank increased during Israel’s war in Gaza, leading to further sanctions by the US and EU.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said ministers would envisage new sanctions against Iran and that sanctions against settlers in the West Bank should be considered “so as not to face double standards.”

He said, “I believe it is not enough to ban violent settlers; we also need to ban those who arm and protect violent settlers.” “It is impossible to allow Palestinians to be displaced, to be driven from their homes, without the possibility of their own safety.”

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said the meeting “provides an opportunity to show our support for Israel because of the Iranian attack on Israel, which we condemn.”

“The important thing right now is to ensure that the proliferation of Iranian-made drones is mitigated,” Billstrom said. He said Iranian representatives “must be included” in the sanctions.