Key facts
- A group of EU countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, are seeking to force the European Commission to propose limits on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
- The push is creating a division between EU institutions and member states, with Kaja Kallas supporting tougher action and the Commission, Germany, and the Czech Republic resisting.
- The European Commission has outlined potential measures like a licensing system and prohibitive tariffs but has not put forward a formal proposal for a vote.
- The debate hinges on whether trade measures require a qualified majority or unanimous backing, with a legal opinion favoring the former.
- Critics accuse the Commission of delaying action ahead of upcoming Israeli elections in October.
A coalition of European Union member states, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, is escalating pressure on the European Commission to implement stricter trade limitations with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This initiative is set to be a central point of discussion at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The push is creating a significant rift, pitting certain national capitals against the Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and allies like Germany and the Czech Republic, who are hesitant to impose new measures. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, however, is publicly advocating for the Commission to develop new trade policies targeting the settlements.
While the foreign ministers' meeting will not decide on specific tariffs or import restrictions, the immediate focus is on whether the proponents can secure a majority to formally request a proposal from the Commission. Such a proposal would then be subject to a later vote by member states.
Trade with the settlements constitutes a small fraction of the EU's overall trade with Israel, estimated at around 0.5 percent. Nevertheless, the issue has gained prominence following the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza, overshadowing other foreign policy agenda items.
Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Spanish lawmaker, stated that settlements are illegal and advocated for a complete prohibition of goods produced within them. The German-led Commission has previously resisted similar proposals, citing past rejections. Germany, supported by Prague, is reportedly prepared to veto or abstain on any vote concerning tariffs on Israel.
Critics argue that the Commission is deliberately delaying action, potentially to avoid complicating matters ahead of Israeli elections scheduled for October. They point to the Commission's recent circulation of a discussion paper outlining options like a licensing system and prohibitive tariffs, which does not constitute a formal proposal requiring a vote.
A key point of contention is whether such measures fall under trade policy, requiring a qualified majority, or common foreign and security policy, demanding unanimity. The Commission and Germany maintain the latter, while the countries pushing for action cite a European Council legal service opinion suggesting trade policy rules apply, requiring only a qualified majority.
Barry Andrews, an Irish lawmaker, criticized the perceived "foot-dragging" by the Commission, emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgency of the situation.