EU leaders request Commission draft trade restrictions on Israeli settlements by July 2026 (euobserver.com)

• EU summit calls on Commission to draft settlement trade options by 13 July 2026.
• France, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, and Ireland lead proponents; Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia oppose.
• EU imports from settlements 15 times higher than from Palestinians; tensions with Israel over Kallas 'apartheid' accusation.

"EU leaders at the 19 June summit called on the European Commission to present legal options by 13 July 2026 for restricting imports from Israeli settlements. This follows three months of Commission hesitation, which several member states found frustrating. France, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, and Ireland led the push, while Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovenia opposed. The EU imports 15 times more from settlements than from Palestinians. Leaders also rejected Israel’s Gaza annexation plan and condemned extremist minister Ben-Gvir."