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EU trade ban debate
Human Rights Watch said banning EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is a legal obligation, not a political choice, and cited the International Court of Justice’s 2024 opinion requiring states to avoid trade or investment that sustains illegal conditions in the occupied territories.
“Human Rights Watch said that a ban on European Union trade with illegal Israeli settlements is not a 'policy option' up for discussion, but a legal obligation imposed by international law and European law”
HRW said the European Commission is considering options to restrict such trade ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting on July 13, noting that more than 50 organizations have called for a full ban.
HRW stressed that settlements are illegal under international law and that transferring Israeli civilians there constitutes a war crime.
In a separate HRW framing, the organization said, "Banning EU Trade with Israeli Settlements Is Not an “Option.” It’s an Obligation," and argued that the only option that complies with international and EU law is a ban.
Letters, options, and lawsuits
Oxfam Intermón reported that a letter sent by more than 60 humanitarian, human rights and trade union organizations urged the President of the EU Council, Ursula von der Leyen, the High Representative Kaja Kallas, and EU foreign ministers to suspend arms transfers, prohibit trade with illegal Israeli settlements, and suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The letter’s signatories said the measures are not mere political decisions, writing that they are "legal obligations," and it recalled that as early as June 2026 the EU noted Israel had breached Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Amnesty International said the EU’s decision not to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement is a "cruel and illegal betrayal" and quoted Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General, saying European leaders had the opportunity to take a principled stand but instead gave their green light to continue Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Amnesty International also described that on July 15 EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to decide whether to suspend the agreement, with ten options presented including a ban on trade with Israeli settlements, and said none received the necessary support at that meeting held on Tuesday, July 15.
Spain and the next steps
Qatar news agency reported that Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced he would propose to the European Union next Tuesday to cancel the partnership agreement with Israel, saying, "no government that violates international law can be a partner of our country."
“The European Union’s obligation to ban trade with Israel’s illegal settlements is not in question”
Sánchez said the Spanish government would present to Europe a proposal aimed at terminating the partnership agreement between the European Union and Israel signed in 2000, because a government that breaches international law cannot be a partner of the European Union.
Qatar news agency also said more than 60 human rights organizations and humanitarian associations, as well as unions, gathered in a coalition led by CIDSE called on the European Union two days ago to adopt measures including suspending the partnership agreement with Israel and banning trade with the Israeli settlements deemed illegal.
In parallel, Al-Jazeera Net reported that HRW called on Europeans to impose an explicit ban on the trade in illegal Israeli settlements and quoted HRW’s deputy director of the organization's EU office, Claudio Frankavilla, explaining that the European Commission is preparing to present a "menu of options" ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on July 13.
