European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday that continued Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank is 'unacceptable' and the violence used to promote it 'abhorrent,' warning that it undermines a two-state solution. She noted that a proposal to suspend trade provisions under the EU-Israel Association Agreement remains pending before member states, and that while some states have proposed sanctions on Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, no consensus has been reached.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a strongly-worded statement on Saturday night condemning Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), describing continued construction as 'unacceptable' and violence by settlers as 'abhorrent.' Her remarks, attributed to the EU's executive branch, argued that such actions harm the viability of a two-state solution, which she said remains the only viable path to sustainable peace.
Von der Leyen noted that the European Commission proposed suspending trade provisions under the EU-Israel Association Agreement ten months ago, warning that the move would carry 'significant economic impact.' The proposal, she said, still requires a qualified majority vote by member states. 'The ball is now in the court of the member states,' she stated.
On sanctions, von der Leyen acknowledged that several member states have proposed sanctions against Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over his policies in the West Bank, but said no consensus has been reached so far. As The Zioneer has reported in recent days, the EU's position on Israeli settlement policy has become increasingly confrontational, with sanctions on individuals and trade measures both on the table.
The European Commission's current stance continues a pattern of growing EU-Israel friction over West Bank policy, which has repeatedly surfaced in diplomatic exchanges and sanctions discussions tracked by The Zioneer.
3 developments
- DevelopingEuropean Union accuses Israel of promoting settlement expansion through 'abhorrent violence'
- DevelopingEU chief von der Leyen welcomes Israel-Lebanon agreement, links peace to Lebanon stability
- DevelopingMacron: Settlement expansion in the West Bank must stop
- ConfirmedFrench official: settler violence in West Bank has crossed a line
Source and signal
- Internal intake