Belgium and several European Union member states have sharply criticized the European Commission for failing to take concrete action against trade with the Israeli regime's illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, accusing Brussels of delaying meaningful measures despite the settlements' clear violation of international law.

European Union foreign ministers discussed a European Commission paper outlining possible measures concerning trade with the Zionist occupation regime's illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank during a meeting in Brussels.

According to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, the two-page document merely lists options such as higher customs duties and licensing requirements while offering no binding sanctions or proposal to prohibit trade with the illegal settlements.

Belgium accuses Commission of political inaction

Speaking before the meeting, Prévot said the Commission had failed to demonstrate genuine political will.

He described the document as an attempt to appease member states rather than advance meaningful action, arguing that it contained no concrete measures to halt trade with settlements established in violation of international law.

Prévot also criticized the European Union for failing to act as a credible and effective international actor in response to the Zionist occupation regime's genocide and massacres against the Palestinian people, saying the Commission's approach contradicts the bloc's stated commitment to international law and human rights.

Member states push for trade ban

Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland are continuing efforts to secure sufficient support among EU member states for a formal proposal banning trade with products originating from the illegal settlements.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the situation surrounding the illegal settlements could no longer be ignored and supported the legal interpretation of the Council's Legal Service regarding possible trade restrictions.

The legal assessment could allow restrictions on settlement trade to be adopted as trade measures requiring a qualified majority vote rather than unanimous approval if they are not classified as sanctions.

Spain calls for EU-wide action

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Spain had already prohibited imports from the illegal settlements at the national level and urged the European Union to adopt the same policy across the bloc.

The debate in Brussels has renewed criticism that the European Commission continues to avoid taking decisive action against economic relations with the Zionist occupation regime's illegal settlements, exposing persistent divisions within the European Union over how to respond to violations of international law. (ILKHA)