EU Approves Sanctions on 7 Israeli Settler Targets and 10 Hamas Figures
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 11
EU Approves Sanctions on 7 Israeli Settler Targets and 10 Hamas Figures
13 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 11
EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to sanction four Israeli organizations, three individuals and 10 leading Hamas figures, ending months of delay over measures tied to settler violence against Palestinians.
Hungary had blocked the package under Viktor Orban, but the deadlock broke after Peter Magyar was sworn in as prime minister this weekend and signaled he would not obstruct broadly backed sanctions.
Kaja Kallas said the bloc had moved "from deadlock to delivery," framing the decision as a warning that extremism and violence would bring consequences.
The sanctions are expected to include travel and banking restrictions, and the shift suggests the EU may take a tougher line on Israel after Hungary's political change.
After Hungary's political shift, is Europe entering a new era in its policy toward Israel?
With key ministers omitted, are the EU's new sanctions a real deterrent or just a symbolic gesture?
How will daily sanctions checks now required by the EU transform European banking for good?
EU Imposes Unprecedented Sanctions on Israeli Settler Groups and Hamas: Scope, Catalysts, and Implications (May 2026)
Overview
On May 11, 2026, the European Union unanimously agreed to a new package of sanctions in response to escalating violence in the region. This decision, led by foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, reflects the EU’s commitment to ensuring that acts of extremism and violence have consequences. The sanctions specifically target Israeli settler individuals and organizations involved in documented settler violence, as well as leading Hamas figures. By using diplomatic and economic tools, the EU aims to influence behavior and promote stability, signaling a firm stance and a coordinated effort to address the ongoing conflict.