Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has called for the EU to expand the minimal sanctions it has in place on illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Speaking after an Oscar-winning Palestinian director was arrested by the Israeli army, despite being the victim of an attack from masked settlers, the Dublin MEP said:

“The EU must impose real sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements and settlers. The current sanctions do not do nearly enough.

“It is utterly despicable that Hamdan Ballal, a renowned Palestinian director, was arrested by Israeli soldiers, despite being the victim of a violent attack by masked Israeli settlers.

“The Israeli army regularly targets local Palestinians in this way, while giving cover to the 500,000 illegal settlers in the West Bank to act with impunity.

“These settlements are in direct violation of international law and yet the EU, and international community in general has done far too little to try and stop the horrific violence that all Palestinians now face in their daily lives.

“The ICJ ruling in July 2024 made it clear that Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank was unlawful, and also issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.

“Israel must be held accountable for their actions. Why are they allowed to violate international law with impunity while the world watches on?

“The EU must do the right thing and impose severe sanctions on Israel. The Irish Government must do likewise and pass the Occupied Territories bill in full, like they promised they would do during the election.”