You often see them in the supermarket: oranges, grapefruits, dates, wine and SodaStream that come from illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
Since at least the early 1990s, the European Union has allowed these products on its market without any restrictions – even as international courts have repeatedly ruled the settlements illegal.
Now, upon the demand of countries such as Ireland, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Slovakia, a proposal to ban settlement products from the European market is being discussed behind the walls of the Berlyamont and could soon be on the table of EU foreign ministers.
Whether it is adopted largely depends on whether it will be voted under unanimity rule – required if considered expression of EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), or qualified majority vote – foreseen when part of EU trade policy.
Unanimity has paralysed EU action too many times. This one is possible to avoid.
