EU member states have not yet agreed on one of the options concerning trade with Israeli settlements. EU Commission spokesperson Gill said the options presented to the countries in June included a full or partial trade ban and stricter export licensing requirements.
The Commission's document also included the imposition of customs tariffs on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Gill said reaching an agreement on the decision and referring the matter to the Commission were the responsibility of the member states. Gill noted that discussions among the countries were continuing.
Emphasis on international law regarding Israeli settlements
Gill said Israeli settlements violate international law. Gill stressed that the EU's position on the issue was clear, saying the settlements obstruct peace and the implementation of a two-state solution.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also called for an end to trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Kallas said a unanimous decision by all 27 EU member states was not required for a trade ban and that a qualified majority was sufficient. She said there was broad agreement among the EU countries' foreign ministers that Israeli settlements violate international law.
Referring to the stance taken against Russia's annexation of Crimea, Kallas said a similarly principled position should be adopted, holding that the settlements are illegal and will not be recognized.
12 countries announce trade ban
France, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Canada and the United Kingdom announced on September 8 that they would ban trade with Israeli settlements that have seized occupied Palestinian territories.
The EU does not impose a general import ban on products from Israeli settlements. These products do not benefit from the trade preferences provided under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
A unanimous vote by the member states is not required for a trade ban to be adopted at the EU level; approval by a qualified majority in the Council is sufficient.
