EU countries to discuss ban on trade with Israeli settlements

European Union member states are set to discuss a potential ban on trade with Israeli settlements located in occupied Palestinian territories. The discussions, scheduled for Monday in Brussels, are not expected to result in immediate decisions but will serve to assess the level of support for moving forward with such a measure.

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No concrete decisions are expected from the discussions, but they will help ascertain whether there is enough support to move forward.

Several EU countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain, have already implemented their own trade restrictions targeting Israeli settlements. These settlements are considered illegal under international law. The EU's executive branch has presented various options for limiting trade with these settlements, including an outright ban, in response to ongoing pressure to adopt a unified bloc-wide approach.

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Several EU countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, have already introduced their own trade restrictions on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are considered illegal under international law.

A key point of contention within Brussels is whether such a ban would require unanimous approval from all 27 member states or if a majority would suffice. Significant players like Germany and Italy have yet to declare their stance, indicating the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the issue.

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Brussels is divided on whether such a step would require the approval of all 27 member states or if a majority would suffice.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Over 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the territory alongside approximately 3 million Palestinians, excluding East Jerusalem. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the "unrelenting" expansion of Israeli settlements, noting in a report that they contribute to the largest displacement crisis in the West Bank since 1967. The EU has long been divided on its approach to Israel, with some member states maintaining strong support for the country while others advocate for Palestinian rights. This upcoming discussion highlights the ongoing challenges in forging a common EU policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Important players Germany and Italy are still undecided.