Austrian authorities are considering imposing a travel ban on violent Israeli settlers, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The decision follows the lead of France, Germany and the United States, which are discussing measures to address security concerns.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said Austria prefers a single regulation for the entire EU, calling the aggressive behaviour of these settlers “totally unacceptable and irresponsible”.
The ongoing discussions in the EU that those involved in acts of violence against Palestinians will be banned from entering the Schengen zone is a gesture of solidarity with the victims and also sends a message that the EU does not approve of such actions, Vindobona reported.
Britain topped the list of countries that have imposed a ban on Israeli settlers, while the German Foreign Ministry welcomed the US ban on visas for Israelis who have committed crimes in the West Bank.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sebastian Fischer noted:
We welcome that the US has adopted a clear stance, just as we are, and now will take concrete measures in the form of entry restrictions.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry is open to an EU-wide solution, but it is still awaiting concrete proposals, and once the draft is submitted for consideration, the ministry will remain open to introducing such measures.
EU countries can start introducing their own measures if there is consensus within the EU. In Israel, the proposal has provoked fierce debate, with critics of the occupation policy calling for tougher measures, while the Israeli government rejects the proposals.
Israelis currently have the right to visa-free entry to the EU, but the proposed entry ban could extend to the entire Schengen area, specifically targeting those involved in violent acts.
Even holding a second passport of an EU member state, which is very common among Israeli citizens, may not bring relief in such cases. For example, an Israeli citizen holding a second Austrian passport may be barred from entering Austria at Schwechat Airport, in accordance with pan-European regulations.
Such an entry ban could affect several Israelis in Europe, but US experts estimate that it could be no more than a few dozen people. However, senior US officials say the purpose of such a visa ban is to deter future violent incidents.
EU authorities are likely to use their offender lists depending on whether someone has been convicted of violent attacks in Israel, and the entry ban would apply to those specific people. However, this only happens in a minority of cases documented by human rights organisations.
