"Now we deem it is not a time to increase sanctions on Israel because we want to see the peace plan implemented and we want to also encourage Israel to play a positive part in this, he told the Guardian in an interview. At the same time, we're not blind to any movements on the West Bank that might move the two-state solution further (away)."
"Five EU countries have announced plans to impose sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, where soldiers and settlers have killed more than 200 Palestinians this year, including 40 children. Spain and Slovenia have banned exports from settlements; Ireland and Belgium are working on legislation and implementation. Belgium and Spain have cut consular services to settlement residents."
"Van Weel said drawing up the legislation had been slow and difficult since trade policy was mostly controlled by the EU. Its not easy to make a carve out, he said. We cannot just stop [all imports from illegal settlements] immediately because there is currently no legal basis for that. We are trying to make new policy now, then it has to go through parliament."
The Netherlands is preparing legislation to bar imports from illegal Israeli settlements while pausing efforts to impose wider sanctions on Israel following a Gaza ceasefire. The partial import ban responds to settlement expansion and escalating violence that threaten the viability of a two-state solution. Dutch officials visited West Bank areas targeted by settlers and emphasized a desire to see the peace plan implemented and to encourage positive Israeli participation. Drafting the measure has been slow because EU trade policy limits unilateral action and a new legal basis must be created before parliamentary approval. Several EU states are already taking sanctions and service cuts related to settlements.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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