Center3 min read
EU unanimously approves sanctions on Israeli settlers and Hamas leaders
Primary region Europe
Tags Diplomacy · Justice · Policy
Regions Europe · Middle East
NPR · BBC News · POLITICO Europe · Washington Post·
Primary region Europe
Tags Diplomacy · Justice · Policy
Regions Europe · Middle East
EU foreign ministers unanimously approved new sanctions targeting Israeli settlers responsible for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Hamas leaders. The decision came after Hungary's new government under Péter Magyar dropped the veto maintained by predecessor Viktor Orbán. The sanctions target settler organizations including Nachala, Regavim, HaShomer Yosh, and Amana, along with leaders Daniella Weiss, Meir Deutsch, and Avichai Suissa. The EU stopped short of broader economic measures against Israel.
The sanctions are a symbolic but limited first step — targeting individual settlers rather than the Israeli government reflects the EU's internal divisions. Hungary's regime change was the key enabler, suggesting Orbán's departure may unlock further EU action on Israel. France and Sweden are already pushing for trade restrictions on settlement products.