After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government
Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.
PARIS — The lingering diplomatic crisis between France and Israel has worsened over the past two weeks, following the Sept. 9 announcement by Paris to ban trade in goods from Jewish settlements on the occupied West Bank. The escalation in tensions comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting, where France is expected to mark the one-year anniversary of its recognition of Palestine, a senior Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said, “Efforts over the past three months to ease tensions have been undone by this latest decision to ban settlement goods.” He added that he saw little prospect of repairing relations with France as long as Emmanuel Macron remains president.
Bans on settlement trade
Preceding the trade ban, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on Aug. 20 condemned Israel's decision to open bidding for the planned E1 settlement on the West Bank. The controversial project, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem, would cut the West Bank in half, rendering the possibility of a territorially contiguous Palestinian state unfeasible.
