The European Union has taken a significant step by imposing sanctions on extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The European Council announced on Friday that four individuals and two entities have been listed for their involvement in serious human rights abuses against Palestinians.
The sanctioned entities include Lehava, described as a radical right-wing Jewish supremacist group, and Hilltop Youth, a radical youth group known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank. The EU sanctions regime now includes two prominent figures from Hilltop Youth, Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yered.
Neria Ben Pazi, accused of repeatedly attacking Palestinians, and Yinon Levi, who has participated in multiple violent acts against neighboring villages, were also added to the EU's sanctions list.
Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, expressed strong condemnation of extremist settler violence and emphasized the need to hold perpetrators accountable. In a post on X, Borrell stated, 'The EU has decided to sanction extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians.'
Belgium's Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib welcomed the sanctions, highlighting the urgency to address the recent escalation of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Lahbib stressed the importance of holding these settlers accountable for their actions.
