The member states decided on the punitive measures on Friday in a written procedure, as several diplomats confirmed to the German Press Agency. According to the information, the sanctions are aimed at people and organizations that are said to be responsible for violence once morest Palestinians in the West Bank.
They are imposed using the EU sanctions instrument to punish serious human rights violations. People who are affected are no longer allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens. In addition, their EU accounts and other assets must be frozen.
Change of course in Israel policy
Attacks once morest Palestinians, like settlement construction in the West Bank, are seen as one of the obstacles to efforts to find a long-term peace solution in the Middle East conflict – especially following the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7th. The EU has repeatedly condemned the acts of violence and the construction of settlements – but to date there has never been the necessary consensus for punitive measures. The sanction decision is therefore seen as a sign of a change of course in the EU’s Israel policy – even if the punitive measures themselves have comparatively little impact on those affected.
With the sanctions, the EU is following the example of the USA. They have already imposed punitive measures aimed at extremist Israeli settlers. The USA accuses those affected, among other things, of taking part in violence once morest Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
4 people and 2 organizations affected
The names of those affected will soon be published in the EU Official Journal. According to information from the dpa, the first step involves four people and two organizations. Ideally, according to diplomats, the sanctions should lead to the Israeli judiciary becoming more committed to prosecuting violence by Israeli settlers once morest Palestinian villages and olive groves.
