Claudio Francavilla, the representative of Human Rights Watch (HRW) to the European Union (EU), stated that the EU's prohibition of trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is 'not an option, but an obligation.'
In a written statement, Francavilla said that whether the EU has an obligation to ban trade with illegal settlements is not open to debate, but the commitment of Union leaders to fulfill this obligation has long been questioned.
Commission Expected to Present 'Option List'
Francavilla recalled that following pressure from civil society and some member states, the European Commission is expected to present an 'option list' to restrict trade with settlements before the foreign ministers' meeting on July 13. 'But continuing to present a ban as an "option" is misleading. As more than 50 organizations highlighted in a letter sent to the Commission on June 22, the only "option" in line with international law and EU legislation is to adopt a ban,' he said.
Francavilla emphasized that while Palestinians have been subjected to terrible crimes for decades, the EU has only expressed 'concern.' 'The EU must at least stop providing financial support to these settlements. Moreover, this is not a matter of "options,"' he assessed.
International Law and Reports
The HRW representative, underlining that the transfer of the Israeli population to occupied Palestinian territory is a war crime, recalled the International Court of Justice's opinion that trade and investments supporting the illegal situation in Palestinian territory should be halted.
Francavilla stated that the argument that privileges granted to Israel under the EU Association Agreement, such as customs duty exemptions, do not cover illegal settlements is false. He noted that even if customs duties are scrupulously applied to products imported from settlements, that does not mean trade has ended. He said the EU provision that trade must comply with international law norms is currently being violated, and the Commission has an obligation to rectify this.
A report by the Global Echo Case Center, which operates in the field of international law, found that food products manufactured in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories reach European markets in violation of EU and UK legislation.
The report stated that of the more than 5,900 shipments from Israel to Europe between 2017 and 2026, 17.2 percent consisted of citrus fruits, dates, tahini, and other agricultural products originating from illegal settlements.
Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced on June 15 that many member states had applied to the European Commission to prepare proposals for stopping trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, and she committed to conveying this request to the Commission.
