EU imposes sanctions on five Israeli individuals and three entities

The EU sanctioned five Israelis and three entities for human rights abuses against Palestinians, including Tzav 9, Ben-Zion Gopstein, and Isaschar Manne.

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends a press conference on the day of EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/YVES HERMAN)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends a press conference on the day of EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/YVES HERMAN)

The European Union announced sanctions on Monday against five Israeli individuals and three entities, describing them as responsible for "serious and systematic human rights abuses" against Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The list included Tzav 9, a group which it said had regularly blocked humanitarian aid trucks delivering food, water and fuel to the Gaza Strip.

Also on the list were Ben-Zion Gopstein, founder and leader of the Lehava organization, and Isaschar Manne, whom the EU described as the founder of an unauthorized outpost in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

 Ben-Zion Gopstein, 29 February 2016. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Ben-Zion Gopstein, 29 February 2016. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Both have also been sanctioned by the United States, as has Tzav 9, which Washington said last week opposes Jewish assimilation with non-Jews and agitates against Arabs in the name of religion and national security.

Sanctions include asset freeze

There was no immediate comment by those sanctioned.

The European Union sanctions, under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, include an asset freeze and a travel ban to the EU countries.

Including Monday's listings, 113 natural and legal persons and 31 entities from a range of countries have been sanctioned under the Regime.