EU Agrees Sanctions on Israeli Settlers Over West Bank Violence
European Union foreign ministers have agreed sanctions on Israeli settlers identified as involved in violence in the West Bank. The EU's high representative for foreign policy said 'extremism and violence carry consequences'. Israel called the move 'arbitrary'.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council approved sanctions on settlers identified as involved in violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank by near-unanimous vote. The decision means individuals on the list are barred from entering the EU and have their assets frozen. The list will be published publicly in the coming weeks.
The EU's high representative for foreign policy said in a statement that 'extremism and violence carry consequences'. Several member states have highlighted the increase in settler attacks on Palestinian villages in recent months. The United Nations said more than 50 Palestinians have died in such attacks since March.
Israel's foreign minister called the decision 'arbitrary' and said the EU should trust the functioning of its own judicial system. The Palestinian Authority described the sanctions as 'a positive but insufficient step' and called for broader measures to ensure accountability.
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