Israel-critical capitals force von der Leyen showdown over illegal settlements
A coalition of EU member states, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, is urging the European Commission to adopt stricter trade measures against illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The push has created a split within EU institutions, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and allies such as Germany and the Czech Republic resisting the proposal. The dispute is set to dominate the agenda of the upcoming EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, highlighting broader tensions over EU‑Israel relations.
- ▪The group of countries seeks a majority to compel the Commission to propose limiting trade with the settlements, which account for about 0.5 percent of EU‑Israel trade.
- ▪EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas supports tougher action, while the Commission and countries like Germany and the Czech Republic oppose it.
- ▪The issue has eclipsed other agenda items such as sanctions on Russia and relations with Gulf states at the foreign ministers’ gathering.
- ▪Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has threatened to cut off contact with Kallas over alleged remarks describing Israel as an apartheid state.
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News Politics Israel-critical capitals force von der Leyen showdown over illegal settlements A push for tougher limits on trade with West Bank settlements is set to dominate a gathering of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn The Israeli settlement of Efrat in the West Bank is pictured on Feb. 27, 2026. | Amir Levy/Getty Images July 13, 2026 4:01 am CET By Nicholas Vinocur BRUSSELS — A group of EU countries wants to force the European Commission to crack down on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, ramping up a standoff with Brussels over its Middle East policy.
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