EU foreign policy chief says Israeli settlements should be treated like Russian-occupied Crimea

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged European governments to adopt a unified stance against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing parallels between the settlements and Russia's annexation of Crimea. Kallas emphasized the importance of a principled approach, suggesting that the EU should ban trade with the settlements, similar to the steps taken after Crimea's invasion.

She noted that while the trade volume with the settlements is minimal, a ban would carry a significant symbolic weight. Kallas acknowledged that the European Commission faces pressure from member states to implement such a measure, as many nations oppose the idea. The EU has already imposed sanctions on Russia following Crimea's annexation in 2014, including a ban on goods and economic sanctions on Russia.

Recently, the UK announced sanctions on Israeli settlements, and other European countries joined in backing the proposal. Israel has responded with counter-sanctions, including closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem and threatening retaliation. Kallas has previously compared Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid South Africa, a stance that contrasts with her previous support for Israel.