European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday he has asked the bloc's members to consider imposing sanctions on two Israeli ministers for "hate messages" against Palestinians, messages that he said broke international law, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

He did not name either of the ministers. But in recent weeks he has publicly criticised, Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for statements he has described as "sinister" and "an incitement to war crimes".

Borrell said EU foreign ministers held an initial discussion about his proposal at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday. He said there was no unanimity - which would be required to impose sanctions - but the debate would continue.

"The ministers will decide. It's up to them, as always. But the process has been launched," he told reporters.

He said he had proposed that the Israeli ministers be sanctioned for violations of human rights. EU sanctions generally mean a ban on travel to the bloc and a freeze on assets held in the EU.