The European Union Council announces it is imposing sanctions on four entities and three individuals for abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. In a statement, the Council says the designations include “extremist Israeli settlers and organisations that support them,” describing them as responsible for “serious and systematic human rights abuses” against Palestinians in the West Bank. The EU also indicates that it is adding further measures related to Hamas.
In a separate Council statement, the EU says it will expand sanctions to cover members of Hamas’ Political Bureau. According to reporting cited by Al-Monitor, the broadened scope targets Politburo members who promote, defend, or justify acts of violence. The EU action is presented as part of an ongoing sanctions framework covering actors the EU links to violence and rights abuses. The announcements come as the EU Council issues new listings and updates the coverage of existing sanctions measures tied to the groups involved.
