EU Foreign Policy Commissioner Josep Borrell condemned the violence perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, emphasizing the need to hold the perpetrators accountable. In a post on the platform “X” on Friday, Borrell announced that the European Union has decided to impose sanctions on extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem due to serious human rights violations against Palestinians.
“We strongly condemn the violence of extremist settlers and the perpetrators must be held accountable,” Borrell stated. On Friday, the European Union imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers and two extremist Israeli groups for their violent actions against Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The Council of the European Union stated that “the individuals and entities subject to these sanctions are responsible for serious human rights violations against Palestinians.” The Council’s statement clarified that “these violations include practices of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, as well as violations of the right to property and the right to private and family life of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.”
The sanctions include asset freezes and visa bans. The European Union has blacklisted two organizations, “Lehava” and “Hilltop Youth.” The four individuals affected by the sanctions include Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yered, leaders of the “Hilltop Youth” group, and settlers Neriya Ben Pazi and Yinon Levy.
Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on two entities it said had helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for two extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The United Nations has also expressed concern about escalating violence in the West Bank, calling on Israeli security forces to “immediately cease their active participation and support for settler attacks” on Palestinians there.
The European Union’s stance on the recent Gaza war, which erupted on October 7, reflects a significant evolution towards a more unified approach, especially evident in its recent actions at the United Nations. The EU overwhelmingly voted in favor of a UN resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and the “unconditional release of all hostages” in Gaza. This resolution saw major support, with 153 votes in favor, signaling a strong EU commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis.
