BRUSSELS: A ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank received the strongest backing among European Union foreign ministers on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, although the bloc remained divided over possible curbs on such commerce.
European governments have increased pressure for EU action in recent months, citing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government, which has expanded settlements.
At a meeting in Brussels, the ministers debated three options set out in a confidential paper by the European Commission — an import licensing system, prohibitive tariffs or a ban, according to people familiar with the document.
Kallas said a ban received the most support among the representatives of the EU’s 27 countries but diplomats said there was no clear majority for any single option. Kallas said ambassadors from member states had been tasked with further work on the issue.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said EU members were split between those like his own that favour a ban, others who were opposed and a middle group of countries that are still considering their position.
