E.U. Divided Over Barring Imports From Israeli Settlements
The discussion about restricting goods from Israeli settlements in occupied territories reflects a European split over whether and how to confront Israel.
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 three 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 a 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.
