France, Feb. 12 -- More than a week after the US issued a presidential order sanctioning Israeli settlers who commit violence against Palestinians, the European Union is still hesitating. While France and other EU heavyweights have pushed for sanctions, smaller members are refusing to agree.

On 1 February, citing "high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction", US President Joe Biden issued an executive order that blocks funds and imposes travel bans on people and organisations involved in settler violence.

Such violence, he argued, undermines the security of Israel and risks widening the conflict across the Middle East, threatening US personnel and interests.

The move d...