EU countries have yet to agree on a common option regarding trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. European Commission spokesperson Gill said discussions among member states were continuing.
Gill said Israeli settlements violate international law and obstruct both peace and the implementation of a two-state solution. The Commission spokesperson said the EU’s position on the issue was clear.
Member states have not reached a decision
In June, the Commission sent EU member states a detailed document outlining several options. The document included a full or partial ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, stricter export licensing requirements and the imposition of customs tariffs.
Gill said member states had not reached agreement on any of these options. She said it was the responsibility of the countries to reach agreement on the decision and bring the issue before the Commission.
Kallas points to qualified majority
Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, called for an end to trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Kallas said unanimity among the 27 EU member states was not required for such a decision and that support from a qualified majority would be sufficient. She said there was broad agreement among EU foreign ministers that Israeli settlements violate international law.
Referring to the approach taken against Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Kallas said a similar, principled approach should be adopted, recognizing that Israeli settlements are illegal and will not be recognized.
12 countries announce trade ban
France, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Canada and the United Kingdom announced on September 8 that they would ban trade with Israeli settlements established on occupied Palestinian territories.
The EU does not impose a general import ban on products from these settlements. However, such products do not benefit from the trade preferences provided under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The EU does not require unanimity among member states to adopt a common trade ban; approval by a qualified majority in the Council is sufficient.
