EU adopts new sanctions on Israeli settlers over West Bank violence
The European Union has agreed new sanctions targeting Israeli settlers over violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The decision was taken by the bloc's foreign ministers on May 12, after months of blockage were ended by a change of government in Hungary.
The EU also moved to sanction leaders from the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Israel condemned the measures, calling them baseless.
The move matters because it shows the bloc has now advanced a package that had been stalled for months.
It also adds pressure on both Israeli settler groups and Hamas at a time of continuing violence.
The earlier draft said seven settlers or settler organisations would be sanctioned, but the new supporting row does not repeat that figure.
It does confirm that the measures were agreed by EU foreign ministers and that technical and legal steps would still be needed before formal imposition.
The row does not give further detail on the individuals or organisations covered, or on when the sanctions will take effect.
