Israel offers cash to firms hit by trade ban; Europe dithers on new rules

The Israeli government plans to pay up to 200,000 shekels ($54,000) to companies operating in illegal settlements following European countries' commitments to ban their goods amid escalating human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank. A dedicated team has been established to assist affected companies in finding alternative markets such as the Philippines, India, the UAE, Chile, and Argentina. While some European countries like Spain and the Netherlands are effectively boycotting, others, including the UK, have not fully implemented bans, reducing their immediate impact.