EU accused of dragging its feet over ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements
Summary
The European Union is debating whether to ban trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories but has not made a decision due to disagreements among member states. The debate comes amid a UN report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and violence in the West Bank, and after an international court ruling calling for an end to such trade.Key Facts
- The EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss banning imports from Israeli settlements.
- Israel’s settlements are considered illegal under international law, including a 2024 International Court of Justice ruling.
- The ruling said states must prevent trade and investment that supports the settlements.
- Options on the table include a full or partial trade ban, high tariffs, or import licensing.
- At least 10 EU countries support ending trade with the settlements.
- More than 100 legal scholars have urged the EU to fulfill its legal obligations by banning trade.
- An NGO investigation found some goods from settlements mislabeled as Israeli products.
- EU ministers have not agreed on the voting method needed to implement a ban and are unlikely to make a decision until October.
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