EU official: Bloc weighing ‘separate sanctions packages’ against violent settlers, 10 Hamas members

By Lazar Berman

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11 May 2026, 2:50 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

This photograph shows an outside view of the Berlaymont building, the European Union Commission headquarters, in Brussels on December 15, 2025. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

If the European Union’s 27 foreign ministers vote for sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, there will also be sanctions imposed on 10 Hamas members, a European Union official tells The Times of Israel.

There would be absolutely no equivalency drawn between the two groups, stresses the official. “They are not the same. They are separate sanctions packages.”

They would be announced on the same day because there are countries in Europe insisting that new sanctions be imposed on Hamas members if they are to support, or at least not oppose, sanctions on the Israelis.

Today, the EU foreign ministers are discussing sanctions on three to four Israeli entities and a similar number of individuals.

The sanctions would include the freezing of assets, and an entry ban on the individuals.

However, even if all foreign ministers back the sanctions, they wouldn’t begin today. The bloc would be making a political decision that would be followed by technical and legal work, before sanctions are officially imposed.