The European Union announced sanctions against Israeli settlers. The sanctions target settlers involved in violence against Palestinians.

They include asset freezes and travel bans on seven settlers or settler groups. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the sanctions target settlers who support violent settlement of the West Bank.

The EU also approved sanctions on Hamas leaders at the same time. Some EU member states required this as a condition for backing the settler sanctions.

Israel criticized both sets of sanctions as unfair and political. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the dual sanctions created a false moral comparison.

Israel also vowed to defend the right of Jews to settle in the West Bank. Hungary's previous government had blocked the EU settler sanctions.

The block was lifted after a new government took power in Hungary. There is still no EU agreement on wider steps like trade bans on settlement goods.