Israel-critical capitals force von der Leyen showdown over illegal settlements – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — A group of EU countries wants to force the European Commission to crack down on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, ramping up a standoff with Brussels over its Middle East policy.

The group, which includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, is looking to assemble a majority to force the Commission to propose limiting trade with the settlements, according to four diplomats aware of the efforts, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive plans. The diplomats confirmed the effort but declined to identify every country supporting it.

The fight is increasingly pitting EU institutions against one another as well as dividing national capitals. On one side are countries pressing for tougher action, backed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. On the other are Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission and countries including Germany and the Czech Republic.