EU countries back ‘full ban” on Israeli settler imports, the only obstacle is unanimity

World eugazairanIsraellebanonPalestineTop Newswar EU countries back ‘full ban” on Israeli settler imports, the only obstacle is unanimity Israeli Raid In Jenin Camp Relevant News EU countries back ‘full ban” on Israeli settler imports, the only obstacle is unanimity 15 July 2026 Game of Thrones actor Clive Russel to attend Cyprus Comic Con 15 July 2026 Cyprus Met Office issues yellow warning for extreme heat 15 July 2026 Theodosis Pipis 15 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber After a tense meeting on Monday the European Union decided to not introduce a ban on products from territories illegally occupied by Israel. Less than half the bloc’s foreign ministries voted for action on the issue. France and Sweden have spearheaded the push for the settler ban, backed by Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands and Spain. However, countries including Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic who have voiced reservations. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday that after talks between the 27 EU states’ top diplomats “the option that got the most support was banning trade with illegal settlements.” The 27 EU ambassadors in the EU Council “were tasked to take this forward and we will probably have an extraordinary meeting on this” she added. However, the next regular foreign ministers’ meeting is not due until 12 October. “All the 27 member states agree that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law,” Kallas said, adding that the EU’s existing policies have “not done much to limit trade with the settlements.” The Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, though more resistant to the ban, did provide an options paper for possible measures, including the trade ban, an import licensing system, and targeted tariffs. According to Eurostat the overall EU–Israeli trade was worth €43.3bn in 2025, compared to the settlers’ less than €250m of exports and the €14m cultural freeze. And Israel remains eligible for billions in EU grants under the ‘Horizon’ science R&D programme. Israel’s war in Gaza began after Hamas launched its unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign that has since expanded into multiple regional theaters and drawn growing international scrutiny over its vast humanitarian casualties. But countries like Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain want to go further by stopping all EU-Israel “association agreement” trade perks on human rights grounds. The EU pressure comes amid high tension inside Israel, which is at war in Gaza after Hamas launched its unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign that has since expanded into multiple regional theaters and drawn growing international scrutiny over its vast humanitarian casualties. The UN commission of inquiry, several human rights groups and the world’s leading association of genocide scholars have concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Israel denies the accusation. Currently Israel is at war in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Iran, Lebanon and Syria. Despite this, the Commission maintains that imposing any sanctions would require a unanimous vote by member countries. Kallas, on the other hand, believes that a qualified majority suffices. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Game of Thrones actor Clive Russel to attend Cyprus Comic Con Cyprus Met Office issues yellow warning for extreme heat Balcony blaze rips through Protaras block, six flats damaged Overnight pharmacies on Wednesday, July 15 We saw the Odyssey: Nolan loses the plot on the way to Ithaca ‘ICE Out: Justice for Lorenzo and Joan’ protest at Foley Square On this day: A failed military coup attempted to overthrow Turkish President Erdogan in 2016 Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.