Over 100 European lawmakers urge EU ban on trade with Israeli settlements

More than 100 members of the European Parliament have sent an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the introduction of EU legislation to prohibit any trade between the European Union and Israeli settlements established in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The letter was published a day before von der Leyen's State of the Union address, in a move aimed at increasing pressure on the European Commission to take new action regarding settlements and the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

In their letter, the lawmakers stated that it is time for the Commission to present legislative proposals banning EU trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.

The lawmakers also referenced a decision by UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband last week to support a similar measure, arguing that the European Union should act in response to its citizens' demands.

The letter added that European citizens are calling for action, and that the EU's credibility on the international stage has been damaged by inaction, describing the introduction of legislative proposals as a positive step in the right direction.

Previous actions and ongoing demands

The lawmakers called on the European Commission to propose the necessary regulations to implement the ban.

This latest letter follows a similar message sent in July, signed by 71 European lawmakers, as well as a separate appeal in June by 460 former European officials—including former heads of government, ministers, commissioners, ambassadors, and former members of the European Parliament—who called for tougher measures in response to developments in Gaza and the West Bank.