EU should sanction Israeli settlements like Russian-occupied Crimea, Kallas says

EU’s Kaja Kallas suggests that the bloc should impose sanctions on Israeli settlements similar to the way Russia is being penalized for its occupation of Crimea. Comparing the illegal settlements in the West Bank to Russia's actions, Kallas stated, "If we take the example when Crimea was occupied, then it was very clear, it's illegal, we don't recognize this, which means that we stop the trade with any products that come from Crimea."

The EU foreign policy chief's comments have been met with criticism from Israel, with its mission to the EU and NATO calling them "deeply unfortunate." The parallel drawn between the Western Wall and Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter with Crimea has raised eyebrows, especially as it coincides with the Jewish New Year. Despite Kallas' support for a ban on trade with Israeli-occupied territories, the European Commission has yet to take any concrete action.

In July, only a minority of EU foreign ministers called for the Commission to consider measures for member countries to vote on. While a few countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, have advocated for EU-wide restrictions, the Czech Republic has vowed to oppose any new sanctions, thus preventing the necessary unanimity among EU capitals.

However, the debate gained momentum when eight EU countries, including France, Spain, and Ireland, along with the U.K. and Canada, pledged to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements. Kallas emphasized that all EU Member States agree that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, adding that the Israeli Government's settlement expansions are hindering the possibility of a two-State solution.