EU Backs Irish Government’s Trade Ban on Occupied Territories
EU Paper Offers Cover for National Bans on Israeli Settlement Trade
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BRUSSELS – A new paper from the EU’s foreign affairs chief,Kaja Kallas,is expected to provide significant backing for the irish Government’s proposed legislation to ban trade with Israeli settlements. The document, circulated to diplomats from EU member states, outlines a range of potential measures the bloc could take to pressure Israel, including the option for individual member states to ban imports from settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
National Bans as an “Option” EU Action
The paper suggests that banning imports from settlements in occupied Palestinian territories is an option for the EU, provided it garners the unanimous support of all 27 member states. However, it also presents an “alternative” where individual governments could enact national bans on trade originating from these settlements. Officials indicated that such national measures might not require explicit EU sign-off, though some inter-capital debate on their “permissibility” could precede implementation.
Conor O’Neill, head of policy at Christian Aid, described the EU’s acknowledgement of domestic laws banning trade with Israeli settlements as a “really significant shift.” O’Neill, who was involved in drafting the initial version of the Occupied Territories Bill, stated, “for the first time the EU has recognised that individual member states may ban trade with Israel’s illegal settlements.”
The Occupied Territories Bill, first introduced by Autonomous Senator Frances Black in 2018, faced delays under previous Irish governments. However, growing international pressure, amplified by Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, has led the current government to commit to advancing the legislation. A revised draft of the bill is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.
Broader EU Pressure Options Explored
Beyond national bans, the EU paper details other potential avenues for exerting pressure on Israel. These include suspending the “association agreement” that governs EU-israel relations or shelving a free trade deal currently enjoyed by Israel under that agreement.
Further options under consideration by the EU foreign ministers, who are set to discuss the proposals next week, encompass economic sanctions on Israeli politicians, an embargo on weapons sales to Israel, and the cessation of Israel’s access to EU research funding schemes.
Unanimous Support Remains a Hurdle
Despite the range of options presented, achieving a unified decision among all 27 EU member states is likely to be challenging. Germany, austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have historically opposed measures penalising Israel for its actions in the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of over 57,000 Palestinians.
Kaja Kallas, who chairs the foreign ministers’ meetings, was tasked with compiling a list of potential measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In a bid to preempt potential sanctions, Israel recently provided commitments to the EU regarding increased humanitarian aid access to Gaza.