France calls on EU to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank, Jean-Noël Barrot says

France is calling on the European Union to halt imports of products originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and believes the EU may apply the approach previously used regarding Crimea, Report informs, citing statements by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland.

He also welcomed statements by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar condemning the surge in violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank. According to him, while these statements were "welcome," they could have been firmer and should be accompanied by decisive actions to end the expansion of illegal settlements and violence.

In Barrot's view, the actions of extremist settlers threaten not only the prospect of a two-state solution but also the security of Israel itself and the broader region.

"The European Union, which has competence in trade matters, cannot accept that products from the illegal settlements in the West Bank enter the territory of the European Union illegally," Barrot stated.

According to him, since these concern territories that France considers illegally occupied, the EU should not support associated activities through trade.

Barrot urged the European Commission to make progress on this issue, drawing on mandates from the European Council.

As a precedent, the minister cited the decision taken by the EU in 2014 regarding Crimea, when imports from that territory into the EU were blocked following Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

France also intends to advocate for new sanctions against individuals responsible for settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank, Barrot added.

In July, EU member states previously discussed potential trade restrictions targeting Israeli settlements. The European Commission presented several options to member states, including a complete ban on the import of relevant products. However, EU nations remain divided over whether such restrictions constitute a sanctioning measure requiring unanimity or a commercial policy measure that can be adopted by a qualified majority.