Nine EU Countries Push to End Trade with Israeli Settlements
In a significant move, nine European Union member states have formally urged the European Commission to develop proposals aimed at stopping trade with Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories. This call came through a joint letter addressed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, highlighting growing concerns around international law and human rights.
Who Signed the Letter?
The letter was backed by the foreign ministers of Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. These countries emphasized the urgent need for the EU to ensure its trade policies do not indirectly support activities deemed illegal under international law.
The Legal Backdrop
This initiative references the July 2024 advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ determined that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories violate international law and recommended that states refrain from trade or investment practices that could sustain such settlements.
The ministers noted, "We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements. We need the European Commission to develop proposals for concrete measures to ensure compliance by the Union with the obligations identified by the Court."
EU-Israel Trade Overview
The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner, accounting for about one-third of its total goods trade. In 2024, EU-Israel bilateral trade in goods reached approximately €42.6 billion (around $48.9 billion). However, the proportion involving products from Israeli settlements remains unspecified.
Political and Moral Implications
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stressed the intersection of trade and ethical responsibilities, asserting, "Trade cannot be disconnected from our legal and moral responsibilities. This is about ensuring that EU policies do not contribute, directly or indirectly, to the perpetuation of an illegal situation."
Upcoming Discussions and EU-Israel Relations
This letter arrives ahead of a scheduled meeting in Brussels on June 23, where EU foreign ministers will review the bloc’s relationship with Israel. They are expected to assess Israel's compliance with a human rights clause embedded in their political and economic partnership agreement. This reassessment follows concerns triggered by ongoing events in Gaza and reflects heightened scrutiny over Israel's adherence to agreed-upon standards.
Responses and Next Steps
So far, Israel’s diplomatic mission to the EU has not provided an immediate comment on the call for trade cessation with settlements. Meanwhile, the initiative signals a growing push within the EU to align trade practices strictly with international legal frameworks and to reinforce respect for human rights.
