Israel’s illegal settlements are Europe’s credibility test

What the report says

Al Jazeera published an opinion article by Majed al-Zeer on July 24 arguing that Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territory has become a major test of the European Union’s stated commitment to a two-state solution. The article centers on a European External Action Service annual report for 2025, released July 17, which Al Jazeera says describes settlement growth, outpost legalization, land seizures, settler violence and administrative changes as part of an accelerating process of de facto annexation.

According to the article’s account of the EEAS findings, Israel approved 54 new official settlements in the occupied West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, in 2025, and 86 new outposts, including 58 agricultural and pastoral sites. It also cites plans for 63,311 settlement housing units, split between 27,941 in the West Bank and 35,370 in East Jerusalem. The opinion piece says the EU report warns that these steps could further divide the West Bank, separate East Jerusalem from the rest of Palestinian territory and undermine prospects for a viable Palestinian state.

The article reviews recent European measures, including EU sanctions announced on May 28 against four entities and three individuals linked to settlers, and a July 13 discussion among EU foreign ministers on possible settlement trade restrictions. It also cites national moves by Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands in July to curb or regulate imports from settlements.

Al-Zeer argues these steps remain limited and urges a unified EU response, potentially using the EU-Israel Association Agreement, broader sanctions, market restrictions and trade measures. This is an opinion analysis, not a reported news investigation by 256 Newsroom.