The European Union has sanctioned four entities and three individuals it says are “extremist Israeli settlers” responsible for “serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank”, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the EU Council designated the following people and organisations:

• The Nachala Settlement Movement and its director, Daniella Weiss. The group “encourages and facilitates coercive acts that lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians”, it said.
• Israeli NGO Regavim and its director, Meir Deutsch, who “lobby for the demolition of Palestinian property” to expand Israel’s control over the entirety of the West Bank, plus the demolition of an EU-funded Palestinian primary school.
• The Hashomer Yosh NGO and its president, Avichai Suissa, which the council said supports “at least 28 violent outposts and settlements”.
• The Amana cooperative association of the settler movement Gush Emunim, which has likewise “played a key role in initiating, financing, and facilitating at least 30 violent outposts and settlements”.