France's trade ban on Israeli settlements is political theater dressed up as int'l law – opinion

On September 8, France's foreign ministry, joined by 11 other foreign ministers and three heads of government, issued a declaration promising to restrict trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements. The declaration asserts that settlements are "illegal under international law" and that trade with them may therefore be restricted, "in accordance with national procedures." However, the article argues that this declaration is merely a communiqué, not legally binding, and does not repeal the 1995 EU–Israel Association Agreement. It contends that the declaration is "politically shameful and legally inapplicable" because it conflicts with EU law, which grants exclusive competence over common commercial policy to the EU, requiring a qualified majority or unanimity for such measures. Furthermore, the article highlights that an advisory opinion from the ICJ does not mandate an import ban and that the duty of non-assistance applies to government dealings, not individual consumer purchases. The author concludes that this initiative is "political theater" that isolates Israel while having little practical effect on trade or security, ultimately serving domestic political ends for France.