“This is the madness you get when no one cares about international law any more, and civilians pay the price in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon and beyond, and Europe remains painfully divided,” she said, urging the EU to completely stop trade with Israeli settlements.
Irish MEP Lynn Boylan from the Left group accused the EU of refusing to act for nearly a decade, calling for a ban on goods and services originating from illegal settlements and urging EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to take action.
“The International Court of Justice confirmed trade with the settlements is illegal. Now we need the trade commissioner to turn up, do his job and ban this illegal trade,” she said.
Cautious optimism around US-Iran agreement
During the debate, Kallas also said the agreement between the US and Iran to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz could represent a breakthrough, creating room for broader talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and regional stability.
She said any lasting settlement must be fully consistent with international law and subject to verification, while praising mediation efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar and the constructive engagement of Türkiye, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Kallas also said the EU rejects measures that would impose additional costs on maritime shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and is coordinating with international partners to safeguard freedom of navigation.
