9 EU Countries Push for Trade Restrictions on Israel Over Legal Concerns
Nine EU member states—Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden—have jointly urged the European Commission to assess trade restrictions on goods and services linked to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. The MOVE follows a July 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion deeming such settlements illegal.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot emphasized the legal risks of continued trade with entities operating in these disputed areas. The coordinated diplomatic effort signals growing European scrutiny of Israel's occupation policies, though immediate market impacts remain limited.