Frederiksen urges EU to step up pressure on Israel

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has sharply criticized her Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him “a problem in himself” and vowing to use Denmark’s rotating presidency of the European Union to push for stronger action against Israel.

In an interview with the daily Jyllands-Posten on Saturday, Frederiksen said Netanyahu’s government had “gone too far,” pointing to the “absolutely appalling and catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel’s new settlement expansion plans in the West Bank.

“We are among the countries that want to increase the pressure on Israel, but we have not yet secured the support of other EU members,” she said.

Frederiksen stressed that political pressure, including possible sanctions, must be considered. “It could be sanctions against settlers, ministers, or even Israel as a whole,” she noted, suggesting trade restrictions or research cooperation could be targeted.

“We are not ruling anything out in advance. Just as with Russia, we are building sanctions in a way that targets where we think they will have the greatest effect,” the Danish leader added.

However, Frederiksen clarified that Denmark is not currently considering recognition of a Palestinian state.