West Bank settler violence escalates, prompting EU sanctions calls

Human rights groups report a surge in violence by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank, describing a pattern of impunity that includes attacks on Palestinian villages, assaults on civilians, and forced expulsions. An October 12, 2023 incident in Wadi al‑Siq, where settlers beat, robbed and humiliated Palestinians, was closed without charges, highlighting systemic failures in accountability. Data from Peace Now and Keren Navot indicate that between 2023 and 2025, 118 Palestinian communities were expelled from Areas C and B under full Israeli military control.

Italian parliamentarian Peppe De Cristofaro (AVS) criticised the Israeli government's inaction and urged the European Union to adopt sanctions on products originating from the occupied territories. A legislative proposal backed by the Green‑Left alliance, the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party seeks to bar such goods, citing over 950 settler attacks recorded in 2026, 63 Palestinian deaths and more than 2,300 displaced persons. The call reflects growing international pressure to address the settlement expansion deemed illegal under international law.