The European Union announced, Monday, sanctions against five individuals and three Israeli entities, accusing them of “serious and systematic human rights violations” against Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Among those sanctioned is the “Tzaf 9” group, which the EU claims has regularly blocked humanitarian aid trucks carrying food, water, and fuel to Gaza.
Also listed is Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder and leader of the Lehava organization, and Issachar Mann, whom the EU identifies as the founder of an unauthorized settlement in the occupied West Bank.
The United States has also imposed sanctions on both individuals and the “Tzaf 9” group. Last week, Washington stated that the group opposes the integration of Jews with non-Jews and incites against Arabs in the name of religion and national security.
The individuals targeted by the sanctions have not yet commented.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a supporter of the settlements, described the sanctions as “an inappropriate and unacceptable step among friends” and an undemocratic interference in Israeli democracy that undermines the freedom of expression and protest among Israeli citizens.
Smotrich, who is seeking to reverse these sanctions, stated, “Imposing sanctions on Israeli citizens in the settlements or among right-wing organizations is crossing a red line.”
The EU sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans to EU countries.
The list released on Monday includes 113 individuals and 31 entities in a variety of countries under the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime.
