(VOVworld) - John Gatt-Rutter, the EU's representative in Jerusalem, said on Thursday that the EU will continue its efforts to oppose Israel’s illegal settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah (R) speaks next to John Gatt-Rutter, the EU envoy to Palestine, during their visit in the southern West Bank village of Susya on June 8, 2015. (Photo: AFP)

Gatt-Rutter said there is support within the union to impose economic sanctions against Israel to prevent its expansion of Jewish settlements.

These include guidelines that will require Israel to label settlement products. It already bars goods produced in settlements from receiving customs exemptions given to Israeli goods. He added that there are "more tools" the EU can use to restrict illegal settlements in the West Bank.