EU Commission spokesperson Gill announced that the Commission had presented member states with various policy options on trade with Israeli settlements, but that the countries had not yet agreed on any of them.
Gill said Israeli settlements violate international law and obstruct peace as well as the implementation of a two-state solution. The Commission spokesperson stressed that the EU's position on the issue was clear.
Options presented by the Commission
Gill said the Commission had submitted a detailed options paper to member states in June. The document included options for imposing a full or partial ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, tightening export licensing requirements and applying customs tariffs.
Gill said the member states had not reached agreement on any of these options, adding that it was the countries' responsibility to agree on a decision and refer the matter to the Commission. She noted that discussions among the member states were continuing.
Kallas calls for a trade ban
Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also said trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories should be halted.
Kallas said the unanimous support of all 27 EU members was not required for such a decision and that qualified-majority support would be sufficient. She said there was broad agreement among EU foreign ministers that Israeli settlements violate international law.
Referring to the stance taken against Russia's annexation of Crimea, Kallas said a principled position should similarly be adopted 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 seize land in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The EU does not impose a general import ban on products from these settlements. These products are not eligible for the trade preferences provided under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
A unanimous vote by member states is not required for a trade ban to be adopted at the EU level. Adoption by a qualified majority in the Council is sufficient.
