EU remains divided over sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements

Brussels: The European Union remains divided over imposing trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with member states unable to agree on how far the bloc should go despite mounting pressure for action against settlement expansion and settler violence.

EU foreign ministers have considered three possible measures: introducing an import-licensing system for settlement goods, imposing prohibitive tariffs or completely banning trade with the settlements. A trade ban has attracted the strongest support, but has failed to secure a clear majority among the bloc’s 27 members, Reuters reported.

The disagreement reflects wider divisions within the EU over how to respond to Israel. Several governments have pushed for tougher economic measures, citing continued settlement expansion and increasing violence against Palestinians. Others have remained more cautious about punitive action and its potential diplomatic and economic consequences, Reuters reported.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has sought to build agreement among member states, with EU ambassadors tasked with further discussions on the issue. However, disagreement also persists over the legal basis for any trade restrictions, with some arguing that unanimity would be required while others believe a qualified majority would be sufficient.

The issue has gained urgency amid growing settler violence and Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank. The EU has already imposed targeted sanctions on individuals and entities over abuses against Palestinians, but broader restrictions on settlement trade remain unresolved.

Spain has backed a ban on trade with settlements, while Germany has favoured focusing on pressure against violent settlers rather than imposing a trade ban, highlighting the divisions within the bloc, Reuters reported.

EU foreign ministers again failed to bridge those differences during recent discussions, leaving the bloc struggling to establish a common position on economic measures against Israeli settlements, Al Jazeera reported.