EU sanctions ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank

EU says the sanctioned individuals and groups violated a range of rights, from the right to physical and mental integrity, to the right to education.The European Union has sanctioned four entities and three individuals it says are “extremist Israeli settlers” responsible for “serious” human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.The EU said they had violated a range of rights, including the rights to physical and mental integrity, privacy and family life, freedom of religion and education.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Western nations warn Israel to end illegal settlement expansion, violencelist 2 of 4Israeli settler blindfolds and detains Palestinian in occupied West Banklist 3 of 4Israeli settlers run over livestock in occupied West Banklist 4 of 4Israeli settlers burn vehicles, install caravans in occupied West Bankend of listThe announcement on Thursday is part of an EU sanctions package agreed earlier this month to punish Israeli settlers and Hamas leaders.The sanctions include the Nachala Settlement Movement and its director, Daniella Weiss. The EU says the group “encourages and facilitates coercive acts that lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians”.Israeli NGO Regavim and its director, Meir Deutsch, are also on the sanctions list for lobbying “for the demolition of Palestinian property” in order to expand Israel’s control over the entirety of the West Bank, plus the demolition of an EU-funded Palestinian primary school.Also sanctioned is the HaShomer Yosh NGO and its president, Avichai Suissa for supporting “at least 28 violent outposts and settlements”. It also recruits armed volunteers and provides guards who engage in violent attacks, the EU added.The Amana cooperative association of the settler movement Gush Emunim was also sanctioned, the EU stating it had likewise “played a key role in initiating, financing, and facilitating at least 30 violent outposts and settlements”.Long-awaited sanctionsWith Thursday’s additions, the EU said it now sanctions 136 persons and 41 entities from a range of countries under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.