EU Condemns Israeli Settlements as Unacceptable, Threatens Trade Penalties
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as “absolutely unacceptable,” warning that the continuation of this trend further undermines the prospect of achieving a two-state solution.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Ireland in Cork, she noted the escalating situation in the occupied territories, stating that the ground situation is continuously worsening and that violence accompanying settlement development poses a serious risk to the achievement of lasting peace.
The President of the European Commission also announced the body’s proposal to suspend Israel’s trade preferences under its cooperation agreement with the European Union, indicating that if approved, this measure would have significant economic consequences for Israel.
She added that this proposal was presented to member states approximately 10 months ago, and a decision on it is now up to the EU members.
Von der Leyen also recalled that the European Union approved sanctions against a number of extremist Israeli settlers last month.
She further mentioned that some member states have proposed imposing sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister of internal security of the Israeli regime, but clarified that the necessary consensus for approving such an action within the European Union has not yet been reached.
