European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed to a set of sanctions targeting Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The measures had been blocked for months by Hungary's former government under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose ouster last month cleared the way for the decision.

The sanctions are aimed at “extremist” settlers accused of violence against Palestinians amid expanding settlements. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated on X that “extremism and violence carry consequences,” while also announcing new sanctions on Hamas figures.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the EU is sanctioning “the main Israeli organizations guilty of supporting extremist and violent colonization of the West Bank, as well as their leaders.” He called for an end to “the most serious and intolerable acts.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar denounced the move as “arbitrary and political,” arguing that sanctions are being imposed on Israeli citizens and entities based on their political views. Israel “firmly rejects” the decision, he wrote on X.

The sanctions target three settlers and four settler organizations, whose identities have not yet been disclosed. The EU previously imposed similar measures in 2024, freezing assets and banning travel for four individuals and two entities.

Some EU member states, including Sweden, have called for tougher measures, such as tariffs on products from Israeli settlements and sanctions on Israeli ministers promoting settlement expansion. However, there is no consensus among EU members on broader actions against Israel, including trade restrictions.

Source: www.dw.com