• The EU has agreed to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers due to violence against Palestinians.
• New measures were approved after Hungary's government lifted its veto on sanctions.
• The sanctions target both Israeli settlers and leaders of the militant group Hamas.
• Israel has condemned the sanctions, arguing they lack basis and are politically motivated.
• No consensus exists yet on stronger economic measures against Israel, like banning settlement products.

The European Union (EU) has agreed to impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers in response to escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The consensus was reached during a meeting of foreign ministers, following the lifting of a veto by Hungary's newly appointed government, which had previously been led by Viktor Orbán, an ally of Israel, according to Le Monde, LA Times, and Al Jazeera.

This long-awaited decision comes amid a surge of violence, with reports indicating that there have been increased attacks by Israeli settlers since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for action, stating, "It was high time we move from deadlock to delivery. Extremism and violence should carry consequences," according to BBC and Middle East Eye.

The sanctions package specifically targets three individual settlers and four settler organizations, although their names have not yet been disclosed. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot noted that this action aims to hold accountable those organizations “guilty of supporting the extremist and violent colonization of the West Bank,” as per NPR and LA Times.

The Israeli government reacted strongly against the sanctions, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar describing them as "arbitrary and political," asserting that Israel maintains the right of Jews to settle in their homeland. Far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir branded the EU as "antisemitic," expressing defiance against the sanctions, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

While the sanctions mark a significant political shift within the EU, there is still no consensus about imposing stronger economic pressures on Israel, like banning products from Israeli settlements. Such measures were pushed by several member states but are still under discussion, indicating the EU's complex position regarding Israel, as noted by Middle East Eye, LA Times, and BBC.