“Such acts by these organizations undermine the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank. We will continue to use our tools to hold those responsible accountable, ” he added.
Following its announcement of sanctions, the Council of the EU said: “The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and for the violation of right to property and to private and family life of Palestinians in the West Bank.”
The listed entities are Lehava, a far-right Jewish supremacist group; and Hilltop Youth, a “radical youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank,” according to the statement.
The four individuals hit by the sanctions are Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yered — both leading figures of Hilltop Youth — as well as Neria Ben Pazi and Yinon Levi.
It is the first time the European Union has imposed sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank over acts of violence against Palestinians, the German press agency DPA wrote, citing diplomats.
In addition to a travel ban to the EU, the individuals listed under the sanctions regime are subject to having their assets frozen, along with being prohibited from provision of funds or economic resources — “directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit.”
