Nine EU member states are calling for the European Union to halt trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, coinciding with an upcoming debate on potential punitive measures against Israel.

The letter, signed by foreign ministers from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, emphasizes the need for EU policies to avoid supporting an illegal situation.

Belgium initiated the letter, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot highlighting the importance of aligning trade policy with international legal and moral responsibilities.

The ministers expressed concern over the lack of proposals from the European Commission to effectively discontinue trade with the illegal settlements, urging compliance with international law.

They referenced a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which deemed Israel's occupation and settlements illegal, calling for states to prevent trade that supports these settlements.

This letter precedes a meeting scheduled for June 23, where EU foreign ministers will discuss the bloc's relationship with Israel and assess its compliance with a human rights clause in a key agreement.

During this discussion, they will review the EU-Israel association agreement and consider targeted sanctions on Israeli officials and settlers.

The EU is Israel's largest trading partner, with a two-way trade value of €42.6 billion recorded in 2024, although it remains unclear how many of these products originate from settlements.

The letter does not specify a timeline for when the European Commission will assess the trade policies regarding Israeli settlements.

The call to halt trade aligns with the EU's ongoing discussions about its role and responsibilities in the region.