Key facts
- EU foreign ministers largely backed restricting trade with Israeli settlements.
- A full ban on imports from settlements received the most support.
- A majority of member states favor treating the measures as trade policy, not foreign policy.
- This distinction affects the voting threshold needed for approval.
- Italy's foreign minister suggested delaying action until after Israeli elections.
EU foreign ministers have overwhelmingly backed clamping down on trade with Israeli settlements, with a full import ban receiving the most support during closed-door discussions. Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated that the option to ban trade with illegal settlements garnered the most backing among ministers.
The European Commission recently presented a range of options, the most significant being a complete trading ban. EU ambassadors are now tasked with developing the proposal further. However, progress faces potential delays, with some diplomats concerned about the timing ahead of Israeli legislative elections. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indicated that no measures should be taken before the ballot.
A key point of contention is whether the restrictions should be classified as trade policy or foreign policy. A majority of member states, including Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, support framing it as trade policy, which would allow for a decision via qualified majority (15 member states representing 65% of the EU population). This approach avoids the need for unanimous backing from all EU governments, which has been a sticking point.
Some ministers expressed frustration with the European Commission for the perceived lack of detail and delay in presenting the proposal. Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares argued that a decision not to trade would simply be an application of international law. The EU already has a policy of differentiating settlement-manufactured goods, exempting them from preferential tariffs. However, calls for a full ban have intensified due to the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank and a 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion.