Kallas says Israel's plans to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank 'not in line with international law'
Several members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the European Union on Tuesday tohalt tradewith illegal Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian territory. as pressure grows on Brussels to take concrete action against settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.
During a plenary debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, lawmakers urged the bloc to ban goods. services originating from Israeli settlements, arguing that continued trade undermines international law and the prospects of a two-state solution.
Kallas said a large number of EU member states had also raised the issue during Monday's Foreign Affairs Council meeting. called for concrete proposals regarding trade withillegal settlements.
She reiterated that Israel's plans to rapidly expand settlements in the occupied West Bank are "not in line with international law". further undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
Read More:Israeli army kills 6 Palestinians across Gaza
Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans from the Renew Europe group referred to newly emerged footage showing an Israeli soldier targeting a family in the occupied West Bank last week. resulting in the death of aseven-month-old baby.
"He is dead,. almost no one is speaking his name," Vautmans said, arguing that a climate of impunity in Israel and the occupied territories devalues the lives of Palestinian children.
German MEP Hannah Neumann of the Greens group said there is no ceasefire in Gaza. accused violent occupiers in the West Bank of destroying the remaining prospects for a two-state solution.
"This is the madness you get when no one cares about international law anymore,. civilians pay the price in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon and beyond, and Europe remains painfully divided," she said, urging the EU to completely stop trade with Israeli settlements.
Irish MEP Lynn Boylan from the Left group accused the EU of refusing to act for nearly a decade, calling for a ban on goods. services originating from illegal settlements and urging EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to take action.
"The International Court of Justice confirmed trade with the settlements is illegal. Now we need the trade commissioner to turn up, do his job and ban this illegal trade," she said.
Cautious optimism around US-Iran agreement
During the debate, Kallas also saidthe agreement between the US. Iranto end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz could represent a breakthrough, creating room for broader talks on Iran's nuclear program and regional stability.
She said any lasting settlement must be fully consistent with international law. subject to verification, while praising mediation efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar and the constructive engagement of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt.
Kallas also said the EU rejects measures that would impose additional costs on maritime shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. is coordinating with international partners to safeguard freedom of navigation.
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