EU Sanctions Flaws: The Case of Dr Moshe Kantor

EU Sanctions and the Case of Dr Moshe Kantor

Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, the European Union has implemented various measures and sanctions against Russia and its supporters. However, the process of compiling these sanctions lists has come under scrutiny for its hurried and flawed approach.

Hasty Process and Apologies

The case of Dr Moshe Kantor, former President of the European Jewish Congress, highlights the flaws in the EU sanctions regime. Despite his efforts in promoting tolerance and fighting against antisemitism, he was included on the individual sanctions list. The process against Kantor was deemed rushed and flawed, leading to apologies from European Council President Charles Michel.

• Kantor has been living away from Russia for decades and has dedicated his life to fighting against antisemitism.
• The sanctions against Kantor have been renewed multiple times despite evidence showing his disengagement from Russian business activities.
• Errors in the sanctions file included inaccuracies about Kantor’s nationality and business affiliations.

Paid Articles as Evidence?

The evidence used to sanction Kantor was criticized for being based on unreliable sources, including paid articles and machine-translated content. Some articles contained antisemitic accusations against Kantor and were labeled as paid advertisements.

• Kantor has not had any business position in Russia for 30 years and has focused on leading the European Jewish community.
• Mistakes in the evidence packet included falsely listing Kantor as a shareholder of a Russian company.
• Kantor’s legal team argued that the Council’s case against him lacked substantial evidence of his alleged ties to the Kremlin.

Old Allegations Weaponised

Critics argue that Kantor’s advocacy for Jewish communities and his stance against antisemitism have led to baseless allegations being weaponized against him. Legal experts have highlighted structural failures in the EU sanctions regime and the lack of robust evidence in individual sanction cases.

• According to jurist Regis Bismuth, the EU Council’s rushed compilation of the sanctions list led to errors and unreliable information being used.
• The public hearing at the General Court exposed the flaws in the individual sanctions regime and called for a cleanup of the list.

It is crucial for the EU to reevaluate and refine its sanctions regime to ensure accuracy and fairness in targeting individuals. Addressing mistakes and removing those unjustly sanctioned will enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the EU sanctions policy.

Eldad Beck is an Israeli journalist.

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