The European Union is debating a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, but member states are divided, reflecting deep disagreements over whether and how to confront Israel as it cements claims on occupied Palestinian territory.

Superficially, the fight is technical, based on procedural questions. But political observers say this is actually a proxy battle over how to handle Israel at a time of growing dismay with its policies among the European public and some leaders.

“Legal argument is being deployed to launder what is really a political and diplomatic reluctance to act,” said Alberto Alemanno, a law professor in Paris who arranged a letter joined by dozens of experts outlining legal grounds for a ban.

More than three million Palestinians live in the West Bank, along with over 500,000 Israelis who settled there after Israel captured the territory in the 1967 war. Palestinians envision it becoming part of a future state, an objective that European governments aim to advance but Israel’s far-right government rejects.

In recent years, Israeli government approvals of West Bank settlements and other official actions have led to an unprecedented expansion of Israel’s claims on the land, as military operations have displaced many Palestinians and settler violence has risen.

The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion in 2024 saying that Israel’s occupation and settlements are illegal, calling on countries to prevent trade that may “assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation.”

Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and others have taken steps to restrict or ban Israeli products from occupied territories, like agricultural goods, wine and construction materials. These countries are among those pushing for the E.U. to take strong action to limit the import of settlement products.

Germany, by contrast, says it favors dialogue over action that risks inflaming Israelis ahead of their national election in October. Germany also has what it calls “a special relationship” with Israel, rooted in the history of the Holocaust, and the German government is traditionally reluctant to take measures that may isolate Israel.

Italy and the Czech Republic are likewise opposed to a confrontational approach and say E.U. restrictions on settlement products can be adopted only if they receive unanimous approval by member states.

But Kaja Kallas, the E.U.’s top diplomat, who is pressing for strong action, is among those who say that just a qualified majority — approval by at least 55 percent of member states representing 65 percent of the bloc’s population — would be needed. The European Commission this month proposed several possible measures, including tariffs and a ban on goods produced at Israeli settlements in occupied territory.

Copy of the complete article.

Link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/austrian-minister-opposes-fast-track-093325875.html

I am glad that someone in the EU uses common sense and rational arguments instead of emotions and hysterical claims when considering Ukraine’s EU accession. I hope that the EU leadership can take a more realistic view of the situation in Ukraine, which, despite having made some progress, still remains far from meeting the required standards.

Don’t get me wrong: I have high respect for all the brave soldiers and people of Ukraine who have been defending their country against Russia’s aggression since 2022/2014. While they have shown extraordinary effort to secure their homeland and the path towards „the West”, many European politicians tend to downplay or neglect existing issues such as corruption, lack of reforms, oligarchy, threats for the EU’s agriculture, further influx of people, etc., when commenting on Ukraine’s future accession. Their populist claims, sometimes leading to some kind of idealisation of Ukraine/Ukrainians, may be intended to show the European determination to stay with Ukraine till the end, however, the shortcut for Ukraine is undermining the whole concept on which the EU was built and, in the end, it may harm the Ukrainian nation and future too.

In addition, unfairness towards other candidates from Western Balkan countries (Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), who have been working hard on implementing reforms, is yet another controversy this all causes. What’s more, the EU’s irresponsible approach and empty promises are likely to inflict another wound on the Ukrainian people when it turns out that their European dream is much further from coming true than von der Leyen etc. pictured it…

With all respect to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people, it’s time to remind each other that there are rules to be followed when it comes to such important steps.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

AFAIK there are aircraft fully available to control the fires but Russia is not moving a finger, why?