US Warns Europe of Sanctions Over Boycotts of Israeli Settlements

European countries that implement boycotts against Israel risk facing retaliatory sanctions from the United States, according to U.S. Deputy Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmit Dillon. Speaking at a briefing in Washington, Dillon stated that the U.S. views the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement as antisemitic. She urged European nations to recognize the potential consequences of banning goods from Israeli settlements. Dillon also mentioned that similar attempts at corporate-level boycotts in the U.S. were quickly suppressed. She encouraged European countries to adopt the "tough methods" used by the U.S. to curb illegal migration, which she believes fuels antisemitic, anti-Christian, and anti-Western sentiments. The measures in question refer to restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements and sanctions against individuals and companies involved in settlement activities, announced in September by the UK, France, Canada, and other Western nations. This marks the first time a high-ranking U.S. official has publicly addressed potential U.S. actions in response to European boycotts. Previously, on September 23, Reuters reported that U.S. officials had drafted a strong statement from Senator Marco Rubio against the UK, France, and Canada, but this document was not supported by the White House and was not published.