EU Sanctions Israeli Settlers and Hamas Leaders

European Union foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions on three Israeli settlers and four settler organisations, as well as on two senior Hamas officials, according to multiple reports citing the decision taken on Monday. The package had been delayed for months by a veto from Hungary’s previous government; a change in leadership in Budapest allowed the measures to proceed.

” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot posted on social media that the EU was acting against groups involved in violence in the West Bank.

The United Nations has recorded more than 1,800 settler attacks that resulted in casualties or property damage across around 280 Palestinian communities in 2025. Incidents cited include settlers forcing Palestinians to exhume a grave and setting homes, vehicles and agricultural fields on fire.

The same period has seen more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, according to UN figures. Settlements are regarded as illegal under international law by the EU and most of the international community.

Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967. Settlement expansion reached its highest level since at least 2017 when the UN began tracking the data.

Israeli officials rejected the measures. ” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the sanctions “arbitrary and political” and said Israel would continue to stand for the right of Jews to settle in the heart of their homeland. ” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir denounced the EU as antisemitic.

The sanctioned settler-related entities include Daniella Weiss, described in Israeli media as the “godmother of the settler movement,” as well as the groups Nachala, Regavim, HaShomer Yosh and Amana. Meir Deutsch, CEO of Regavim, and Avichai Suissa, CEO of HaShomer Yosh, are also named in reports.