EU Imposes Sanctions on Israeli Settlers for West Bank Violence

Brussels – The European Union has officially adopted sanctions against Israeli settlers and organizations deemed responsible for severe and systematic violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The decision, confirmed by the Council of the EU, targets four entities and three individuals.

These measures stem from "serious and systematic abuse" against Palestinians, leading to forced displacement. Among those sanctioned are Nachala and its director Daniela Weiss, accused of encouraging and facilitating violence. The Israeli NGO Regavim and its director Meir Deutsch face sanctions for allegedly pressuring the demolition of Palestinian properties. Hashomer Yosh, its director Avishai Suissa, and the Amana association are also included in the sanctions list.

The sanctions entail freezing assets within the EU and prohibiting entry into European territory. The process was delayed for months due to a veto from Hungary, but a political agreement was reached following recent elections in Hungary.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the EU's move, labeling it a "moral bankruptcy." In a statement, his office argued that while Israel and the US fight "Europe's dirty work" against extremists, the EU is making a "mistaken parallel" between Israeli citizens and Hamas terrorists.

The EU also announced its intention to expand sanctions against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to include members of Hamas's political bureau who promote or justify violence. This action aims to send a clear message against the escalating settler violence in the West Bank, a territory under Israeli occupation since 1967.

“

While Israel and the United States do the 'dirty work of Europe' fighting for civilization against fanatical jihadists in Iran and elsewhere, the European Union has revealed its moral bankruptcy by making a mistaken parallel between Israeli citizens and Hamas terrorists.