Jul 3, 2026, 5:07 p.mJul 3, 2026, 5:07 p.m
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as “completely unacceptable” and spoke of a despicable use of force. “This undermines the future of the two-state solution, which in our view is the only viable solution or the only path to lasting peace,” she said in a press conference at the start of the Irish EU Council Presidency in Cork. And the situation is clearly getting worse.
Ursula von der Leyen.Image: keystone
Von der Leyen also confirmed once again that the EU Commission will shortly present the member states with an options paper with possible reactions. At the same time, however, she warned against excessive expectations and referred to a proposal made ten months ago to eliminate free trade advantages for Israel. “This proposal is still on the table of the member states, which would have to vote on it with a qualified majority,” she emphasized in the press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The ball is therefore in the court of the Member States.
So far, the required majority has not been achieved, among other things, because the German government rejects the removal of trade benefits. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said at an EU meeting in April that such measures are considered “inappropriate.”
Sanction proposals should be presented at ministerial meetings
The Commission wants to present the paper with possible further options for action by a meeting of EU foreign ministers on July 13th. As a possible compromise in the internal EU dispute over possible sanctions against Israel, France and Sweden have proposed restricting the import of products from illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. For example, customs duties and import controls should be examined.
A so-called qualified majority of member states is required for trade measures in the EU. This means that 15 of the 27 EU states would have to agree and together they would have to represent at least 65 percent of the total population of the EU. Sanctions against individuals and companies even require unanimous decisions. (hkl/sda/dpa)