Story perspectives

EU Demands Halt; Israel Funds 34 New West Bank Settlements

7/19/2026

Center

EU Urges Halt

The European Union urged Israel to stop settlement expansion, outpost legalization, land grabs, demolitions and evictions in the West Bank.
Israel's security cabinet approved a 1.3 billion shekel ($427.8 million) budget to construct 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The EU statement was released by its diplomatic service spokesperson on July 17, 2026.
UN bodies, Palestinians and countries deem the settlements illegal under international conventions, which Israel disputes.

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Belgium Bans

Belgium became the latest EU member to ban imports of products grown in Israeli settlements, joining Spain, Netherlands and Ireland.
Israel’s security cabinet approved a 1.3 billion shekel package to build 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The EU warned that settlement expansion threatens the viability of a two-state solution.
Enrico Letta and Sigmar Gabriel urged an EU ban, noting Commission licensing and tariff options.

History

Historical Context

Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo II Interim Agreement on 24 September 1995 in Taba and on 28 September in Washington, with Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat and President Bill Clinton present. The pact split West Bank into Areas A, B and C, barred new settlements without consent, and spans over 300 pages. EU, led by Enrico Letta and Sigmar Gabriel, with Belgium, Spain, Netherlands and Ireland, bans settlement products, invoking Oslo II’s settlement restrictions.

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EU Urges Halt

The European Union urged Israel to stop settlement expansion, outpost legalization, land grabs, demolitions and evictions in the West Bank.
Israel's security cabinet approved a 1.3 billion shekel ($427.8 million) budget to construct 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The EU statement was released by its diplomatic service spokesperson on July 17, 2026.
UN bodies, Palestinians and countries deem the settlements illegal under international conventions, which Israel disputes.

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