EU Hopes to Sanction Samarian Settlers

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that European Union member states may reach a political agreement on sanctions against violent settlers in Judea and Samaria, ahead of a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.

“I expect political agreement on the sanctions on violent settlers, hopefully we will get there,” Kallas said before the meeting. She added, however, that it was still not certain whether the required majority would be secured.

The proposal comes amid a months-long rise in extremist settler attacks in Judea and Samaria, which has increased pressure within the EU for action. Several European governments have already backed measures targeting individuals accused of violence against Arabs in the territory, but bloc-wide sanctions have previously faced political obstacles.

Hungary had been among the countries most likely to block such measures under former prime minister Viktor Orbán, whose government was one of Israel’s strongest defenders inside the EU. The recent change of government in Budapest may now make it easier for the sanctions proposal to move forward.

The expected discussion comes as some EU members are pushing for broader steps against Israel over the situation in Judea and Samaria and the war in Gaza. In recent months, several countries have called for suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade and political relations between the sides.

Other member states have urged sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of encouraging extremist policies and rhetoric. Those proposals would be more politically sensitive than targeted sanctions against individual settlers and are expected to face greater resistance within the bloc.

Kallas’s comments suggest that the EU may first try to advance a narrower package focused on violent individuals rather than move immediately toward wider measures against the Israeli government or senior ministers.

Israel has generally opposed international sanctions connected to Judea and Samaria, arguing that criminal acts by individuals should be handled by Israeli law enforcement and that foreign sanctions encourage political pressure against Israel. Critics inside Europe argue that Israeli enforcement has not been sufficient and that sanctions are needed to deter further attacks.

If approved, the measures would likely include asset freezes and travel bans on those listed. It was not immediately clear which individuals would be included or when the sanctions list would be finalized.