Ankara: Belgium on Monday criticized the EU's response to imports from illegal Israeli settlements as insufficient, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot describing the bloc's latest proposals as a "token gesture" rather than a genuine effort to act. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Prevot said Belgium had been calling for months for concrete measures over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to Anadolu Agency, the European Commission has proposed several measures, including stricter export licensing rules for goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, higher import tariffs to discourage exports, and a partial or complete ban on imports from those settlements. Prevot expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "The European Commission has finally proposed a few options in a two-page document. So it gives more the impression of being a token gesture than a genuine willingness to move forward."

Prevot emphasized the need for concrete proposals that require member states to vote and which can be quickly submitted to the Foreign Affairs Council. He argued for the use of trade rules as a means to address the issue, suggesting that such measures could be adopted through qualified majority voting, unlike sanctions that require unanimity among EU member states.

The Belgian Foreign Minister criticized the EU's difficulty in reaching a common stance on Israel, citing political, historical, and economic factors as barriers to stronger action. He noted, "On other issues, everything seems possible. But when it comes to Israel, sanctions bring everything to a standstill."

Prevot's remarks highlight Belgium's frustration with the EU's approach, suggesting that applying pressure and utilizing available tools could lead to changes in behavior, as seen in other conflicts. Peace Now, an Israeli organization, reports that about 500,000 illegal Israeli occupiers live in settlements across the occupied West Bank, with another 250,000 in settlements on Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem.

In a previous advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements in the occupied regions. The EU, comprising 27 member states, has yet to impose direct measures against Israel, which continues its conflict in Gaza and carries out attacks on neighboring countries despite a ceasefire.