EU sanctions extremist' Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank

The European Union imposed sanctions on four entities and three individuals described as extremist Israeli settlers responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The EU stated the targeted parties violated rights including physical and mental integrity, privacy and family life, freedom of religion, and education. The sanctions were framed as part of a broader EU package agreed earlier in the month to pressure Israeli settlers and Hamas leaders. Nachala Settlement Movement and its director Daniella Weiss were sanctioned for encouraging and facilitating coercive acts leading to forced displacement. Regavim and its director Meir Deutsch were sanctioned for lobbying for demolition of Palestinian property, including an EU-funded primary school. Hashomer Yosh and its president Avichai Suissa were sanctioned for supporting violent outposts and settlements, recruiting armed volunteers, and providing guards for violent attacks. Amana cooperative association of Gush Emunim was sanctioned for initiating, financing, and facilitating violent outposts and settlements.

"The European Union has sanctioned four entities and three individuals it says are extremist Israeli settlers responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The EU said they had violated a range of rights, including the rights to physical and mental integrity, privacy and family life, freedom of religion and education."

"The sanctions include the Nachala Settlement Movement and its director, Daniella Weiss. The EU says the group encourages and facilitates coercive acts that lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians. Israeli NGO Regavim and its director, Meir Deutsch, are also on the sanctions list for lobbying for the demolition of Palestinian property in order to expand Israel's control over the entirety of the West Bank, plus the demolition of an EU-funded Palestinian primary school."

"Also sanctioned is the Hashomer Yosh NGO and its president, Avichai Suissa for supporting at least 28 violent outposts and settlements. It also recruits armed volunteers and provides guards who engage in violent attacks, the EU added. The Amana cooperative association of the settler movement Gush Emunim was also sanctioned, the EU stating it had likewise played a key role in initiating, financing, and facilitating at least 30 violent outposts and settlements."

"With Thursday's additions, the EU said it now sanctions 136 persons and 41 entities from a range of countries under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The regime was created in 2020, and applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses."

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