Hungary Stops Blocking EU Sanctions on Israeli Settlers

Hungary had for years blocked European Union efforts to impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. With a change of leadership, the country has stopped preventing the measures from advancing. Al Jazeera reported the shift. Hungary's previous position had stopped the bloc from reaching the required unanimous agreement on the sanctions.

The change removes that obstacle. Al Jazeera’s Reem Takieddine explained the development in a report. The sanctions target settlers accused of attacks on Palestinian communities and property. European Union member states must agree unanimously for such measures to take effect.

Background on the Sanctions The proposed European Union sanctions had been under discussion for years. Hungary consistently withheld its consent during that period. The leadership change in Budapest altered the country's stance on the issue. Officials from other European Union member states had expressed frustration with the repeated blocks.

The sanctions would freeze assets and impose travel bans on listed individuals. The measures require consensus among all member states to proceed.