The European Union imposes sanctions on extremist settlers and entities that undermine the two-state solution

SadaNews Translation - The European Union today imposed sanctions on extremist settlers and entities responsible for supporting extreme settlement activities in the West Bank.

The European Union stated in a press release, according to SadaNews translation, that these measures were taken under the EU's global human rights sanctions regime, in response to serious and systematic human rights violations against Palestinians.
 
The statement added, "The EU supports a future where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace, security, and dignity, within recognized borders. The two-state solution remains the only viable path to a just, lasting, and sustainable peace."

It continued, "The ongoing illegal settlement expansion, violent outposts, and intimidation against Palestinian communities undermine the prospects for a future Palestinian state. The role of the EU is not limited to calling for peace and international law, but also to protect them."

The Union emphasized that extremist settlers and the organizations that support them directly contribute to violence, forced displacement, and the dispossession of property throughout the West Bank.
It clarified that the sanctions imposed today target entities and settlers who facilitate, fund, or support activities contributing to settler violence and serious human rights violations against Palestinians, including violations of rights to property, education, freedom of religion or belief, and physical and mental safety and privacy.

According to the EU statement, the sanctions include the following:
•    The "Amona" settlement movement and its director Daniela Weiss. The movement encourages and facilitates coercive actions leading to the forced displacement of Palestinians. The Amona outposts obstruct access to Palestinian agricultural and pastoral lands and have been a continuous source of settler violence. Many of these outposts have been built on privately owned Palestinian land. As the movement's director, Daniela Weiss plans, directs, and publicly supports Amona's activities.

•    The Israeli NGO "Regavim" and its director Meir Deutsch have been accused of pressuring for the demolition of Palestinian properties, seeking to expand Israeli control over the entire West Bank through lawsuits. The organization also pressured for the demolition of a EU-funded elementary school in Jabat al-Dhihab village, near Bethlehem, in the West Bank.
•    The "Hashomer Yosh" NGO and its president Avichai Suissa. The organization provides material support and coordinates the work of volunteers in grazing farms, supporting at least 28 outposts and settlements in the West Bank. It also recruits armed volunteers and provides guards involved in violent attacks. Avichai Suissa is responsible for facilitating and encouraging serious human rights violations in the West Bank, in addition to supporting outposts established by individuals listed by the EU.

•    The "Amana" cooperative association linked to the Gush Emunim settlement movement is accused of establishing, funding, and facilitating at least 30 violent outposts and settlements, including ones founded by individuals subject to EU sanctions. Besides the settler violence perpetrated by these outposts, they have led to widespread displacement of vulnerable Palestinian communities and the seizure of Palestinian properties.

The Union stated according to SadaNews translation, "The restrictive measures include asset freezes for the listed individuals and entities, as well as a ban on making funds or economic resources available to them, directly or indirectly. The listed settlers are also subject to a travel ban to the European Union."

It added, "By adopting these sanctions, the EU demonstrates that extremism, violence, and actions undermining peace have consequences. Protecting the viability of the two-state solution requires concrete action against those who seek to undermine it."