London, 12th March 2026 – On Monday, the European Union approved sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank who illegally and increasingly attack Palestinians and unlawfully expand Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, with the French Foreign Minister denouncing illegal settlers supporting the “extremist and violent colonisation of the West Bank”. 

This sanctions package, which targets just three Israeli settlers and four settler organisations, had been previously blocked by former Hungarian PM Orban. It does not disclose the names of sanctioned individuals.  

While ICJP welcomes the imposition of sanctions on extremist and violent Israeli settlers, these measures fall far short of the comprehensive economic pressure needed to hold Israel accountable. Targeted sanctions on individual settlers and organisations alone will not meaningfully challenge Israel’s accelerating expansion in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories. 

 As a major economic bloc, the EU must suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, impose comprehensive trade sanctions, and take stronger action to confront policies of annexation and settlement expansion that continue to undermine international law and the prospects for a just and lasting peace. 

In the face of accelerating Israeli expansion, piecemeal sanctions on individual settlers are no longer sufficient. The recent approval of Israel’s E1 settlement project underscores the urgency. If implemented, E1 would effectively split the West Bank into two disconnected enclaves, deepening de facto annexation and closing off any viable path toward Palestinian sovereignty and a just political resolution. 

Illegal settlement of the oPt is orchestrated by the Israeli state, both implicitly and explicitly. Sanctions must target Israeli ministers who are ultimately responsible for the actions of the illegal settlers. They are responsible both for encouraging settlers to illegally occupy land through projects such as E1, and they are also responsible for facilitating an environment of impunity in order to allow such violations to take place. 

These projects aim to deliberately reshape the territory’s geography and demographics in clear violation of international law, deepening instability and undermining Palestinians’ right to self-determination. If the EU is serious about its commitment to democracy, it would extend its sanctions package to those responsible for annexation projects like E1 including the Israeli government.  

Órlaith Roe, ICJP’s Public Affairs and Communications Officer said: 

“In the occupied West Bank alone, more than 500,000 Israeli settlers now live on Palestinian land. In 2025, the expansion of Israeli settlements reached its highest level since at least 2017. Against this backdrop, the EU’s decision to impose sanctions on only a small number of individual settlers is wholly inadequate.   

Israel’s accelerating annexation agenda, exemplified by projects such as E1, cannot be meaningfully challenged through symbolic measures alone. If the EU is serious about upholding international law and pursuing accountability, it must move beyond limited sanctions, suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and implement comprehensive trade sanctions without delay.” 

ENDS 

Notes for Editors: 

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.   

For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected]. 

Image: European Union via Wikimedia Comms