Khaled Mashaal, nine other Hamas political leaders sanctioned by EU along with four Jewish groups

The European Union has imposed sanctions on senior Hamas official Khaled Mashaal and nine other political leaders within the organization. The EU Council agreed to the sanctions on May 11, implementing them to curb Hamas violence. The decision highlights the significant role these political leaders play in the decision-making process and their considerable influence over the actions of Hamas's military wing, including its violent acts.

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The members of the Politburo play a significant role in the decision-making process and exert considerable influence over the actions of the military wing of Hamas, including its violent actions. Therefore, they bear overall responsibility for those actions.

Hamas has condemned the EU's decision, labeling it as biased and in favor of Israeli narratives. The organization called for a review of EU policies, asserting that the sanctions would not deter their goal of establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Hamas stated that attempts to criminalize their resistance are futile, emphasizing that their people are under occupation and their resistance is a legitimate right. They argue that targeting political leaders demonstrates that the sanctions are a response to pressure from the occupation rather than based on justice.

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The attempt to criminalize the Palestinian resistance will not change the fact that our people are under occupation, their resistance is a legitimate right guaranteed by all laws and humanitarian norms, and the occupation is the root of the conflict and source of instability.

In parallel, the EU finalized sanctions against four Jewish groups, accusing them of being extremist Israeli settler organizations. These groups are alleged to be responsible for serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank. Daniella Weiss and the Nachala Settlement movement were sanctioned for allegedly encouraging Palestinian displacement and obstructing access to agricultural land. Weiss dismissed the sanctions as "ridiculous."

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Additionally, the targeting of political leaders confirms that these sanctions come as a response to pressure from the occupation and are not based on standards of justice.

Hashomer Judea and Shomron, along with its president Avichai Suissa, also faced restrictive measures. The EU cited their mission to protect Israeli herds and farms from theft, but also accused them of supporting "violent" settlements and recruiting armed guards involved in attacks. The sanctions against these groups were implemented on the same day the measures against Hamas leaders took effect.

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ridiculous