Germany Opposes EU Settlement Trade Ban, Saying 27-State Unanimity Is Required
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 15
Germany Opposes EU Settlement Trade Ban, Saying 27-State Unanimity Is Required
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 15
Summary
Germany said any EU embargo on goods from Israeli settlements would require approval from all 27 member states, sharply lowering the chances of action at Wednesday’s foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
Johann Wadephul argued the measure is a foreign-policy decision, not a trade-only step; that would trigger unanimity rather than the EU’s qualified-majority rule of 15 countries representing 65% of the bloc’s population.
The dispute exposes splits inside the EU as Spain, Belgium and Ireland press for tougher measures, while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas differ on both substance and procedure.
Even if Berlin and allies such as Czechia block EU-wide sanctions, national moves are advancing: Ireland is pursuing a settlement-trade ban, Spain and the Netherlands have adopted similar measures, and the UK is weighing one.