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Since October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s attack, Israel has been carrying out relentless and brutal assaults in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of approximately 51,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. Echoing the displacement of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel in 1948, a similar strategy now appears to be unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank. The Israeli government has announced plans to expand illegal settlements in these areas, further displacing Palestinian residents.
According to a May 29 report by Qatar-based Al Jazeera, Israel has declared its intention to establish 22 illegal settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. Some of these are so-called “outposts” that have already been constructed without government approval. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian officials and human rights organizations.
The announcement was made by Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Katz stated, “This step will strengthen our control over Judea and Samaria.” Israel has already built over 100 illegal settlements across the West Bank, housing approximately 500,000 settlers. These settlements range from small outposts to large communities with modern infrastructure. Meanwhile, over 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority governing only limited areas.
Israel’s actions have now provoked a strong response from Europe. According to a confidential letter obtained by Reuters on June 20, nine European Union (EU) countries—Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden—have called on the European Commission to prepare proposals to halt trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. The letter, signed by the foreign ministers of these countries, was addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, accounting for roughly one-third of its total goods trade. In 2024, bilateral trade between the bloc and Israel amounted to €42.6 billion ($48.91 billion), though the letter does not specify how much of this trade is linked to the occupied settlements.
The foreign ministers referenced a July 2024 opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which declared Israel’s occupation and settlement activities in Palestinian territories illegal. The ICJ further stated that states should take steps to prevent trade or investments that sustain such unlawful situations.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot told Reuters, “Europe must ensure trade policies consistent with international law. Trade cannot be detached from our legal and moral responsibilities.” He added, “We must ensure that EU policies do not directly or indirectly contribute to any illegal situation or its perpetuation.”
The letter comes ahead of a June 23 meeting in Brussels, where EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the bloc’s relations with Israel and review the situation in Gaza. The ministers will also evaluate whether Israel is complying with human rights clauses in its political and economic agreements with the EU.
Israel’s diplomatic mission to the EU did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Al Jazeera.
AI/MR
