A coalition of over 160 NGOs, trade unions, and civil society organizations, including the prominent Human Rights Watch, has urgently petitioned the European Union to cease all trade and commercial activities with Israeli settlements situated in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), most notably East Jerusalem. In their letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, they emphasized the need to align with international law and put an end to Europe’s complicity in the illegal settlement enterprise and the accompanying human rights violations.
As international focus turns towards potential post-ceasefire scenarios following fragile negotiations in Gaza, Palestinian suffering persists. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities continue to expand their illegal settlements in the West Bank and escalate their repression of the Palestinian community. This growing tension is exacerbated by a lack of coherent EU policy amidst widespread consensus condemning these actions.
EU member nations have consistently labeled Israeli settlements in the West Bank as unlawful and an impediment to peace. The bloc has even enacted sanctions against Israeli settlers, reinforcing the recognition of severe abuses faced by Palestinians. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has also substantiated the illegality of these settlements, insisting on their dismantlement and the responsibility of states to refrain from any trade or relations that perpetuate this unlawful situation.
In their recent correspondence, the NGOs and trade unions pointed out contradictions in existing EU policies. While goods from the settlements are meant to be excluded from favorable tariff benefits under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, they nonetheless still penetrate the EU market. This inconsistency undermines the EU’s stated commitments to international law.
The EU has struggled to adopt measures in response to Israel’s alleged war crimes in Gaza, leaving many in the international community unsatisfied. However, the bloc has a clear path forward: to align its actions with its principles by prohibiting trade and business linked to these settlements, which are associated with severe human rights violations and injustices against Palestinians.
More than 160 NGOs and trade unions, including Human Rights Watch, are urging the EU to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They assert that such commerce defies international law and exacerbates human rights abuses against Palestinians. Amid rising tension and worsening conditions, the call reflects a formal demand for the EU to align trade policies with legal obligations and moral principles.
The collective call from NGOs and trade unions presents a crucial moment for the EU to reassess its stances on trade with Israeli settlements. With international pressure mounting and documented violations by Israel, the EU is urged to act consistent with its own declarations and international obligations. By banning trade with these settlements, the EU would take a definitive stand in support of human rights and justice for Palestinians.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
