Andrews contends that the Council is using the upcoming October Israeli elections as a pretext for inaction. He fears this delay will extend indefinitely through a lengthy government formation period, effectively granting a green light for further settlement expansion in East Jerusalem and continued hostilities in Gaza. For the Renew MEP, the advisory opinion from the ICJ provides a clear legal mandate that the European Union can no longer ignore.
Barry Andrews Presses EU to Curb Trade with Illegal Settlements
Conflict: While the European Commission hesitates to curb commerce with Israeli settlements, Irish MEP Barry Andrews is leading a 70-member coalition demanding immediate action. Citing the International Court of Justice, Andrews argues that trade restrictions are the bloc’s only remaining leverage to halt ongoing violence and systemic displacement in the West Bank.
During a visit to the West Bank this past May, Andrews witnessed firsthand the conditions he now describes as apartheid. He characterizes the current situation as a systematic effort to suffocate Palestinian life by restricting housing, commercial activity, and basic rights. By pushing for a shift in trade policy, he aims to force the Commission to move beyond diplomatic statements and fulfill what he views as a binding international obligation to protect Palestinian territories.
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