Arabic version: الاتحاد الأوروبي يستهدف المستوطنين الإسرائيليين بالعقوبات بسبب انتهاكات حقوق الإنسان
The European Union has imposed sanctions on four entities and three individuals identified as ‘extremist Israeli settlers’ responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The EU stated that these individuals and groups violated various rights, including physical and mental integrity, privacy, family life, freedom of religion, and education. According to Al Jazeera, the announcement was made on Thursday as part of a sanctions package approved earlier this month aimed at punishing both Israeli settlers and Hamas leaders.
Among those sanctioned is the Nachala Settlement Movement, along with its director, Daniella Weiss. The EU accused the group of encouraging coercive acts leading to the forced displacement of Palestinians. The Israeli NGO Regavim and its director, Meir Deutsch, were also added to the sanctions list for their lobbying efforts aimed at demolishing Palestinian property to expand Israeli control over the West Bank.
Other entities sanctioned include the Hashomer Yosh NGO, led by Avichai Suissa, which supports numerous violent outposts and settlements, and the Amana cooperative association affiliated with the settler movement Gush Emunim, which has played a significant role in facilitating multiple violent settlements. With these new sanctions, the EU now targets a total of 136 individuals and 41 entities under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, established to address severe human rights violations.
These long-awaited sanctions were previously blocked by Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orban but gained traction following the recent appointment of Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who lifted the veto. Israel has condemned the sanctions, asserting that Jews have the right to settle in the occupied West Bank, despite international law prohibiting such actions. The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated, with the UN reporting over 1,000 Palestinian deaths since the onset of the conflict in Gaza.
