Today, Friday, April 19, 2024, the Council of the European Union decided to impose sanctions on four settlers and two Israeli extremist groups, due to their attacks on citizens in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.
The Council said in a statement today, Friday, that “four settlers and two entities have been included under the European Union’s global human rights sanctions regime, for their responsibility for serious human rights violations against Palestinians, including torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and violations of the right to property and private life.” and family matters for Palestinians in the West Bank.
He added, “The listed entities are Lehava, an extreme right-wing Jewish group, and the Hilltop Youth, an extremist group consisting of members known for acts of violence against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank. Two prominent leaders of the Hilltop Youth, Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yed, were also included, both of whom were “Involved in deadly attacks against Palestinians in 2015 and 2023.”
He pointed out that “the sanctions also affect Neria Ben Bazi, who has been accused of repeatedly attacking Palestinians in Wadi al-Siq and Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah, since 2021, and Yinon Levy, who participated in many acts of violence against neighboring villages from his residence in the illegal colonial outpost of Metarim.” legitimate.”
The Council noted that persons included under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze, a ban on providing funds or economic resources to them or for their benefit directly or indirectly, as well as a ban on travel to the European Union.
He called for “an immediate cessation of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to ensure safe access to the holy sites.”
The European Council strongly condemned the violence of extremist colonialists, stressing the need to hold perpetrators accountable and accelerate work on adopting relevant measures.
The European Council also condemned the Israeli government’s decisions to expand illegal settlements throughout the occupied West Bank, and urged Israel not to implement these decisions.
On 7 December 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted Resolution (CFSP) 2020/1999 establishing a global human rights sanctions regime, which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious violations or abuses of human rights (such as torture). slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention).
The European Union’s global human rights sanctions regime confirms the Union’s determination to strengthen its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses around the world.
On 4 December 2023, the Council extended its restrictive measures under the global human rights sanctions regime until 8 December 2026.
