France will move to restrict imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, joining 11 other countries backing or considering similar measures, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday.
Barrot said France intended to introduce national restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements or support European measures, alongside Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
“Why are we doing this?” Barrot wrote on X. He pointed to what he described as rapid settlement expansion, increased violence against Palestinians and attacks that have themselves been condemned by Israeli authorities.
The announcement comes amid frustration among European countries over the EU's failure to agree collective measures on trade with Israeli settlements.
A French diplomatic source said Paris had decided to act nationally because “we can't wait” given the situation on the ground.
The foreign ministers of the 12 countries said in a joint statement that Israel's actions in the West Bank were threatening prospects for a two-state solution.
“The Government of Israel's actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution,” the statement said.
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK said they intended to introduce national restrictions, support European restrictions on trade in settlement goods, or were actively considering those and other measures.
The exact details of France's restrictions, including when they could take effect, have yet to be finalised. French officials stressed that the measure would target settlement products rather than constitute a broader boycott of Israel.
France said the expansion of Israeli settlements was making it increasingly difficult to establish a viable Palestinian state. Officials also pointed to Israel’s plans for development in the E1 area, describing them as a red line for France and much of the international community.
The French diplomatic source criticised rising violence by Israeli settlers, saying it was “unacceptable” and posed a growing threat to regional stability.
France’s relationship with Israel has deteriorated in recent months, particularly after Paris backed international efforts to recognise a Palestinian state.
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