May 29, 2026 | 08:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The European Union has imposed sanctions on four Israeli entities and three individuals for serious human rights violations in the West Bank. The sanctions target extreme Israeli settler movements in the West Bank, an area under the Palestinian Authority.According to an official report released by the EU on Thursday, May 28, 2026, as cited by Al Jazeera, the restrictions were imposed on the Nachala Settlement Movement and its leader, Daniel Weiss.Additionally, Meir Deutsch and his NGO Regavim, Avichai Suissa from Hashomer Yosh, and the Gush Emunim movement from the Amana Cooperative Association were also sanctioned.The EU assesses that these Israeli NGO often facilitate violence and the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. This response comes amid increasing concerns about extreme Israeli settlers.The sanctions, which were adopted under the EU's global human rights sanctions regime, include asset freezes and travel bans to EU member countries.EU Optimistic about Reaching AgreementThe EU Council announced sanctions against several entities and individuals associated with the Zionist occupation. Earlier in May, EU Chief Foreign Policy Officer Kaja Kallas expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with member states.Ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, Kallas is optimistic that they will reach an agreement.According to reports from Palestinian residents, as reported by local news agencies and quoted by Roya News, illegal Israeli settler activities often involve the use of weapons to threaten civilians.Furthermore, some Jewish illegal settlers do not hesitate to carry out evictions in several locations, affecting 100 rural communities.Meanwhile, several abandoned areas are being turned into new settlement outposts by Zionist groups.In addition to imposing sanctions amid the increasing cases of evictions by extreme settlers, several European countries are considering suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement.Long-Awaited SanctionsThose subject to sanctions are responsible for serious and systematic human rights violations against Palestinians. The sanctions are adopted within the framework of the EU's global sanctions regime.The regulation was first launched in 2020 to unite sanctions for violations of religious freedom, crimes against humanity, and genocide.However, Israeli authorities have condemned the sanctions, asserting that Jews have the right to settle in the West Bank, although this claim actually violates international law.According to Al Jazeera, the consensus was previously delayed for months because former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban used his veto power in the European Nations Assembly.However, the election of Prime Minister Peter Magyar resulted in Hungary lifting its veto earlier this month.Since the start of the Israel-Palestine conflict in October 2023, the West Bank has seen an increase in violence involving Israeli military forces and illegal Israeli settlers. At least these aggressions have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank, including children.Read: Israeli Occupiers Burn Mosque and Vandalize Palestinian Homes in West BankClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
