EU debate about import ban reveals deep divides over Israel

By EPHRAT LIVNI and FATIMA ABDULKARIM

The European Union is debating a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, but member states are divided, reflecting deep disagreements over whether and how to confront Israel as it cements claims on occupied Palestinian territory.

Superficially, the fight is technical, based on procedural questions. But political observers say this is actually a proxy battle over how to handle Israel at a time of growing dismay with its policies among the European public and some leaders.

“Legal argument is being deployed to launder what is really a political and diplomatic reluctance to act,” said Alberto Alemanno, a law professor in Paris who arranged a letter joined by dozens of experts outlining legal grounds for a ban.

More than 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, along with over 500,000 Israelis who settled there after Israel captured the territory in the 1967 war. Palestinians envision it becoming part of future state, an objective that European governments aim to advance but Israel’s far-right government rejects.

In recent years, Israeli government approvals of West Bank settlements and other official actions have led to an unprecedented expansion of Israel’s claims on the land, as military operations have displaced many Palestinians and settler violence has risen.

The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion in 2024 saying that Israel’s occupation and settlements are illegal, calling on countries to prevent trade that may “assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation.”

Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and others have taken steps to restrict or ban Israeli products from occupied territories, including agricultural goods, wine and construction materials. These countries are among those pushing for the EU to take strong action to limit the import of settlement products.

Germany, by contrast, says it favors dialogue over action that risks inflaming Israelis ahead of their national election in October. Germany also has what it calls “a special relationship” with Israel, rooted in the history of the Holocaust, and the German government is traditionally reluctant to take measures that may isolate Israel.

Italy and the Czech Republic are likewise opposed to a confrontational approach and say EU restrictions on settlement products can be adopted only if they receive unanimous approval by member states.

But Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, who is pressing for strong action, is among those who say that just a qualified majority — approval by at least 55% of member states representing 65% of the bloc’s population — would be needed. The European Commission this month proposed several possible measures, including tariffs and a ban on goods produced at Israeli settlements in occupied territory.

Hugh Lovatt, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, calls the focus by some member states on unanimity “a distraction — and arguably an excuse for inaction.”

But European countries have been able to agree on some actions related to Israeli activities in the West Bank. In May, the 27 EU members unanimously imposed sanctions on people and organizations that they said facilitate “settler violence and serious human rights abuses against Palestinians” in the West Bank.

“Clearly Israel’s relations with Europe are under unprecedented strain, including with countries that have long been very supportive,” Lovatt said.

Still, some member states remain reluctant to sanction Israeli government ministers or to take steps against Israel itself.

European leaders face conflicting pressures, including public calls for action, the risk of drawing Israeli ire and potential repercussions from the Trump administration for acting against Israel, he said.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, for example, is doing a balancing act, he said. Italy is insisting that EU restrictions on settlement products receive unanimous backing from member states while she is also calling on the bloc to rethink its relations with Israel.