Nine EU Countries Urge Talks on Halting Trade with Israeli Settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories

Brussels (Quds News Network)- Nine European Union countries have urged the European Commission to propose measures to end EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a letter, first reported by Reuters on Thursday, the countries addressed EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. It was signed by foreign ministers from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The ministers pointed to a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which said Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal. It said states should take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that help maintain the situation.

The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner, accounting about a third of its total goods trade. Two-way goods trade between the bloc and Israel stood at 42.6 billion euros ($48.91 billion) in 2024.

“We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements,” the ministers wrote.

“We need the European Commission to develop proposals for concrete measures to ensure compliance by the Union with the obligations identified by the Court,” they added.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said Europe must ensure trade policy is in line with international law.

“Trade cannot be disconnected from our legal and moral responsibilities,” the minister said in a statement to Reuters.

“This is about ensuring that EU policies do not contribute, directly or indirectly, to the perpetuation of an illegal situation,” he said.

The ministers’ letter comes ahead of a meeting in Brussels on June 23 where EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the bloc’s relationship with Israel.

Ministers are expected to receive an assessment on whether Israel is complying with a human rights clause in a pact governing its political and economic ties with Europe, after the bloc decided to review Israel’s adherence to the agreement due to the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Diplomats said 17 of 27 EU members backed the review. It was a proposal from Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp to “review” Article Two of the European Union’s association agreement with Israel.

Article Two of the agreement states that relations “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles”.

In a letter proposing the review, Veldkamp raised concerns about Israeli policies “exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation”.

He also cited “statements by Israeli cabinet members about a permanent presence that alludes to a reoccupation of (parts of) the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon” and a “further worsening of the situation in the West Bank”.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” said Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat. “The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it’s a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately without obstruction and at scale because this is what is needed.”

“I’ve made these points also with my talks with Israelis,” she continued. “Also I’ve had talks with UN and the regional leaders as well. Pressure is necessary to change the situation.”

“The Netherlands took the initiative because we have grave concerns about Gaza,” said Veldkamp.

“We are grateful that enough Member States support this step and that the High Representative Kaja Kallas has decided to initiate the review of Art 2.”

“This is an important European signal that the Israeli government needs to fully lift the humanitarian blockade,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we need to keep working towards a ceasefire, to get the hostages released, humanitarian aid to those in need and bring an end to this terrible war.”