A panel discussion at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference scrutinized European Union policies regarding Israeli settlements, with speakers raising questions about the legal frameworks and evidence underpinning the EU’s stance. The panelists challenged commonly accepted narratives about the status of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in shaping international responses.

Natasha Hausdorff, founder and president of the Center for International Rule of Law, argued that characterizing the West Bank as occupied territory and labeling Israeli settlements as illegal constitutes a misapplication of international law. She contended that such terminology is employed primarily to advance political agendas and curtail open debate on the region’s status. Hausdorff also called for more rigorous examination of legal arguments invoking the Geneva Conventions, particularly disputing comparisons between Israeli settlements and the forced population transfers carried out by Nazi Germany.

Naomi Kahn, international director of Regavim, presented findings from an extensive review of 8,333 incident reports compiled over 18 months in a United Nations database maintained by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Kahn noted that more than 2,000 reports documented violence by Palestinians against Israeli settlers, while asserting that 95% of the remaining incidents either did not involve settlers, lacked elements of violence, or did not occur within Judea and Samaria. She also highlighted instances where attacks carried out by terrorists—resulting in injury or death—were misclassified as acts of settler violence.

Olga Deutsch, incoming CEO of NGO Monitor, evaluated the influence of advocacy groups on European policymaking. Deutsch described a process in which NGO-generated reports serve as a basis for European institutions to implement measures against Israel, including product labeling requirements and financial restrictions. She questioned the consistency of European governments in applying standards and emphasized the need for equivalent accountability measures directed at the Palestinian Authority, referencing commitments made under the Oslo Accords.

The panel concluded with a direct challenge to the European Union’s approach. Hausdorff posed a pointed question to the audience: “Would you support these sanctions if Israel was a Muslim-majority state?” The remark received applause, underscoring the panelists’ call for a reassessment of the EU’s policies on settlements and their broader implications.