2 minute read
The European Commission has presented options for restricting trade with Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made the announcement following a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. According to Kallas, the peace process in Gaza has stalled. She said she discussed the current situation with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa the previous day. Kallas said the Palestinian donor group had raised €900 million. “The EU is the Palestinian people’s most reliable partner. We are the largest donor and the strongest supporter of the two-state solution,” Kallas said. Referring to the West Bank, Kallas said all 27 EU member states agree that the Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. According to her, the options presented by the European Commission include a full or partial ban on imports of products from the settlements, stricter export licensing requirements and the possible introduction of customs duties. “These are not measures against Israel. These are measures against illegal settlements, which undermine the two-state solution,” Kallas said. She added that EU ambassadors had been instructed to continue work on the issue and that an extraordinary meeting would likely also be convened.