French MP Caroline Yadan Criticizes Ban on Trade With Israeli Settlements
French Member of Parliament Caroline Yadan has publicly distanced herself from the French government's decision to implement a ban on trade with Israeli settlements. In a statement, Yadan described the measure, championed by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, as "inapplicable, inconsistent, unbalanced, and counterproductive." While condemning violence against Palestinian civilians by Israelis and calling for perpetrators to be prosecuted, Yadan argued that the French announcement unfairly concentrates diplomatic pressure on Israel, creating an imbalance in French policy toward the Middle East.
Yadan questioned the legal feasibility of a ban unilaterally imposed by Paris, citing the European Union's exclusive competence over common commercial policy under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. She asserted that France cannot unilaterally institute such a ban within the single market and characterized the announcement as a "declaration of intent" lacking clear implementation details or legal foundation.
Furthermore, Yadan criticized the French government for not applying similar pressure on the Palestinian Authority, noting that commitments made by Mahmoud Abbas following France's recognition of a Palestinian state in September 2025 have not been met. These unmet commitments include organizing free elections, reforming school textbooks, combating incitement to violence, and ending the "pay for slay" financial support system for attackers and their families.
Yadan also took issue with continued French funding for UNRWA, despite accusations of links between some agency members and Hamas and the presence of hate-inciting educational content. She compared France's focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to its actions regarding other territorial disputes and international law violations, such as in Ukraine, Cyprus, Western Sahara, and Nagorno-Karabakh, calling for more consistent application of international law principles.
She regretted Barrot's September 4th statement that no other country had "done as much for the Palestinian cause since October 7th," viewing it as a sign of France's drifting relationship with Israel. Yadan concluded that the trade ban could jeopardize economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians and negatively impact the tens of thousands of Palestinians working in the West Bank. She stressed that a policy ostensibly for Palestinian interests must consider its consequences for Palestinians themselves and urged France to simultaneously uphold international law, Israel's security, Palestinian rights, and a two-state solution, suggesting that regaining a mediating role requires maintaining trust with both parties.
