The Council of the European Union sanctioned extremist Israeli settlers and violent activists blocking aid efforts to Gaza under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime on Monday.

The Council found five Israeli individuals who settled in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem regions and three entities responsible for systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians. The published decision listed Moshe Sharvit and Moshe’s Farm for violence and threats against Palestinians. According to the Council of the EU, Sharvit abused the “right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental integrity.” Zvi Bar Yosef also established an unauthorized outpost in the West Bank. Zvi Bar Yosef and Zvi’s farm were responsible for abuses of the right to physical and mental integrity, right to property, and right to private and family life.

Similarly, Isaschar Manne was responsible for continuous threats and harassment against Palestinian families. On certain occasions, Manne reportedly limited freedom of movement, for example restricting Palestinian children from traveling to school. Far-right party members Baruch Marzel and Ben-Zion “Bentzi” Gopstein were also sanctioned. While the Israeli Supreme Court banned both individuals from standing in elections, the Council of the EU found them responsible for inciting discrimination and hostility or violence. In addition, Tzav 9, an Israeli group of activists, was accused of serious human rights abuses by blocking humanitarian efforts of bringing aid to Gaza.

Being listed by the Council under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime includes several consequences such as the freezing of assets and prohibition of funds. It also bans listed individuals from traveling to any EU country. This regime is a mechanism the Council of the EU employs to “address[] serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide.” Currently, 113 natural and legal persons and 31 entities are listed under the regime.

Recently, other countries such as Canada and the UK, also proposed similar sanctions against Israeli violent settlers. Canada imposed on May 16 additional sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank under the Canadian Special Economic Measures Act, and the UK government announced on May 3 a new package of sanctions on Israeli groups and individuals who have been linked to settler violence against people in the West Bank.