The European Union has agreed for the first time to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers and organizations accused of carrying out violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, ending years of political deadlock over the issue.
The sanctions include travel bans within the EU and asset freezes, and are expected to target four Israeli organizations and three Israeli settlers. At the same time, the EU also announced a new package of sanctions against ten members of Hamas. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that “violence and extremism have consequences.”
The decision became possible after the change of government in Hungary, as the government of Viktor Orbán had blocked the sanctions for months. Israel rejected the sanctions as “political” and “baseless,” while discussions over broader measures — such as suspending trade privileges or the EU-Israel association agreement — remain without consensus.
From the beginning of the Israel-Iran war on February 28 until April 27, Israeli settlers killed 13 Palestinians in the West Bank.
France and Sweden are also pushing for tariffs on products originating from Israeli settlements, with Stockholm calling the measure “the most realistic proposal.” A full ban on such products would require unanimity among all 27 EU member states, while tariffs could be approved through a qualified majority vote.
Pressure on Brussels is increasing amid escalating violence in the West Bank. According to United Nations data, from the start of the Israel-Iran war on February 28 through April 27, Israeli settlers killed 13 Palestinians in the West Bank, while a total of 230 Palestinians were killed in 2025 by Israeli forces and settlers.
Sources: Νew York Times [1], [2], Guardian
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