European Union foreign ministers to discuss proposals to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements

Brussels November 15, 2024(QJ) European Union foreign ministers will discuss proposals to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements and halt political dialogue with Israel. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, announced these measures due to numerous international law violations committed by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.

The EU has imposed many sanctions – from visa bans and “terrorism” designations to embargoes and sanctions – in other cases of international law violations, but “so far Israel has been spared any meaningful consequences.”

“This needs to change. This is why I suggested a ban on imports from illegal settlements, based on the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, similar to the existing import ban on goods from occupied Ukrainian territories – because even-handedness is the lynchpin of European credibility.”

Borrell also said he would propose halting political dialogue with Israel among EU member states.