HRW: EU Must Ban Trade with Illegal Israeli Settlements

Human Rights Watch (HRW) EU Representative Claudio Francavilla stressed that the European Union's ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is not an option but an obligation.

Scraper SystemJuly 01, 2026, 09:31 AM

HRW: EU Must Ban Trade with Illegal Israeli Settlements

Claudio Francavilla, the European Union (EU) representative of Human Rights Watch (HRW), stated that the EU's ban on trading with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is "not an option but an obligation."

In a written statement, Francavilla said that whether the EU has an obligation to ban trade with illegal settlements is not open to debate, but the determination of Union leaders to fulfill this obligation has long been questioned.

Commission Expected to Present 'List of Options'

Francavilla recalled that after pressure from civil society and some member states, the European Commission is expected to present a "list of options" to restrict trade with settlements before the foreign ministers' meeting on July 13. "However, continuing to present the ban as an 'option' is misleading. As more than 50 organizations underlined in a letter sent to the Commission on June 22, the only 'option' compatible with international law and EU legislation is to adopt the ban," he said.

Francavilla emphasized that while Palestinians have been subjected to horrific crimes for decades, the EU has only expressed "concern." He said, "The EU should at least stop providing financial support to these settlements. Moreover, this is not a matter of 'options.'"

International Law and Reports

Highlighting that the transfer of Israeli population to the occupied Palestinian territories is a war crime, the HRW representative recalled the International Court of Justice's opinion that trade and investments supporting the illegal situation in Palestinian territories should be stopped.

Francavilla stated that the argument that privileges granted to Israel under the EU Association Agreement, such as customs duty exemptions, do not cover illegal settlements is wrong. He noted that even if customs duties are strictly applied to products imported from settlements, it does not mean trade has ended. He said that the EU legislation's provision requiring trade to comply with international law norms is currently being violated, and the Commission has an obligation to rectify this situation.

A report by the Global Echo Case Center, which operates in the field of international law, found that food products produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories reach European markets in violation of EU and UK legislation.

The report stated that 17.2% of more than 5,900 shipments from Israel to Europe between 2017 and 2026 consisted of citrus fruits, dates, tahini, and other agricultural products originating from illegal settlements.

Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced on June 15 that many member states had applied to the European Commission to prepare proposals to stop trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, and she committed to conveying this request to the Commission.

HRW: EU Must Ban Trade with Illegal Israeli Settlements