Nine countries within the European Union have urged the European Commission to develop proposals aimed at halting EU trade with Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories, as stated in a letter reviewed by Reuters on Thursday.
A coalition of nine member states of the European Union has called upon the European Commission to put forward measures that would cease trade with Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories, as indicated in a letter examined by Reuters on Thursday.
This appeal was articulated in a formal correspondence directed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, and was endorsed by the foreign ministers of Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The European Union continues to be Israel’s largest trading partner, representing approximately one-third of its overall trade in goods. In 2024, the bilateral trade in goods between the EU and Israel reached €42.6 billion (around $48.91 billion), although the specific volume of trade involving products from settlements was not detailed.
The ministers referenced a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which determined that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories contravene international law. The ICJ further recommended that states should refrain from trade or investment practices that could perpetuate such unlawful activities.
This letter signifies an increasing movement within the EU to align trade practices with international legal standards in light of intensified scrutiny regarding Israel’s actions in the occupied territories.
“We have not observed a proposal to commence discussions on how to effectively terminate trade in goods and services with the illegal settlements,” the ministers stated.
“We require the European Commission to formulate proposals for tangible measures to ensure the Union’s compliance with the obligations identified by the Court,” they added.
Israel’s diplomatic mission to the EU did not promptly respond to a request for comment.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot emphasized that Europe must guarantee that its trade policy aligns with international law.
“Trade cannot be separated from our legal and moral responsibilities,” the minister remarked in a statement to Reuters.
“This concerns the assurance that EU policies do not, either directly or indirectly, facilitate the continuation of an unlawful situation,” he stated.
The letter from the ministers precedes a meeting scheduled in Brussels on June 23, where EU foreign ministers will discuss the relationship between the bloc and Israel.
Ministers are anticipated to receive an evaluation regarding Israel’s compliance with a human rights provision in an agreement that regulates its political and economic relations with Europe, following the bloc’s decision to reassess Israel’s adherence to the accord in light of the circumstances in Gaza.
With contributions from various agencies
