The Zionist NGO Regavim intends to pursue legal measures against Canada and the EU in response to recent sanctions, according to Naomi Kahn, director of the International Division at Regavim, who spoke with The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, France, New Zealand, and Australia introduced new sanctions targeting multiple individuals and organizations in the West Bank, whom they claim are involved in violence against Palestinians. Canada specifically added the Regavim Movement to its sanctions list.

Regavim operates as a Zionist NGO focused on safeguarding Israel's national lands and resources. Its primary efforts center on stopping unauthorized takeovers of state land and upholding legal standards in land-use decisions across the country.

In contrast to other sanctioned parties, Regavim has not faced accusations of violence against Palestinians. The group is recognized instead for releasing a report that challenges the notion of settler violence altogether.

Kahn stated that penalizing civil society groups with no ties to violence or any illegal conduct represents an assault on Israel overall, and in this instance, specifically targets the nation's judicial framework.

Regavim Faces Sanctions Over Advocacy for Demolitions of Palestinian Structures

The EU and Canada justified the sanctions by citing Regavim's role in pushing for the demolition of Palestinian property, including an EU-funded primary school in Jabbet al Dhib village near Bethlehem in the West Bank.

Kahn countered that the school was an unauthorized building erected by the European Union on Israeli state land in Area C, which falls under Israeli authority, and that courts had identified valid reasons for its removal.

She explained that the sanctions signal disapproval of judicial rulings and issue a warning to Israeli judges about potential repercussions for decisions that conflict with EU interests, even when those activities violate the law.

Kahn stressed that the issue is not about violence, as Regavim functions purely as a research think tank engaged in policy analysis and advocacy work.

She added that Regavim views this as a critical opportunity to counter the broader challenge to Israel's status as a democracy with an independent judiciary and to defend its sovereign rights over territory recognized under international law.

This move, Kahn noted, undermines Israel's sovereignty, its court system, and its overall legitimacy.

Consequently, the organization will promptly initiate an appeal process along with a counterclaim.

Kahn outlined that while an administrative appeal of the sanctions decision is available, it offers limited prospects for success. Regavim will therefore also pursue legal counteractions on grounds of defamation.

The sanctions wrongly associate the group with violent actors despite zero evidence of any such involvement, she said, attributing the action solely to disagreement with its political positions.

Regavim will additionally urge the Israeli government to respond diplomatically to the sanctions.

EU Sanctions Aim to Facilitate Palestinian Statehood, According to the NGO

Kahn suggested the sanctions form part of an effort to advance the establishment of a Palestinian state, a prospect opposed by Israeli voters who would bear the consequences.

She pointed out that current conditions, including the Palestinian Authority's support for terrorism and payments to terrorists, eliminate any viable peace partner and heighten risks to Israeli security through external pressure.

Even a hypothetical full withdrawal of Jews from Judea and Samaria would not satisfy the underlying goal of creating a Palestinian state in the area, she argued.

Israelis recognize the dangers, as demonstrated by the events of October 7, and understand that such a state in Judea and Samaria would threaten Israel's existence, Kahn concluded.