‘Traditional methods’ with Israel no longer effective: Minister
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin has urged the EU to impose wider sanctions in response to repeated Israeli violations of international law.
Her comments came during a meeting in Brussels with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, as foreign ministers gather to review the bloc’s ties with Israel, including the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Shahin said no political or humanitarian progress is possible without “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza” and called for the EU to act decisively against settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
She also urged EU states to pressure Israel to release Palestinian clearance funds, which she described as being “withheld illegally”.
Kallas said the bloc is continuing efforts to press for a ceasefire and fair distribution of aid, noting the US holds “the greatest influence” over Israel.
EU attempts to sanction Israel ‘defeated’
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar highlighted “important diplomatic success” after fending off “obsessive attempts by several countries” to slap sanctions on Israel in the European Union.
“The very attempt to impose sanctions on a democratic country defending itself against attempts to destroy it is outrageous,” Saar wrote on X, thanking foreign ministers who prevented sanctions.
“The attempts to harm Israel’s image, diplomatically and legally, will continue. Our struggle is in full swing. We will continue to fight for the justice of Israel’s cause and to strengthen its diplomatic ties. We will open – already in the coming months – additional embassies.”
Saar’s comments come after an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels to discuss possible punitive measures on Israel after it failed to increase aid to blockaded Gaza as agreed.
‘Still slaughter going on’: Ireland calls out Israel over Gaza
Ireland has urged the European Union to take stronger action against Israel over its ongoing assault on Gaza, saying dialogue alone is no longer enough.
Speaking in Brussels, Irish Defence Minister Thomas Byrne said, “We need to see action and we need to use our leverage.”
EU Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas committed to provide updates every two weeks on humanitarian access to Gaza, but “so far we haven’t really seen the implementation of it – maybe some very small actions – but there’s still slaughter going on”.
In a post on X, Byrne added: “International law must be complied with. We simply cannot turn a blind eye to breaches of human rights obligations.”
Ireland has been among the most vocal EU members calling for accountability over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Why not take action yourself... Ireland is Israel's 2nd biggest export market for goods...
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/2025/06/08/despite-the-politics-ireland-is-israels-second-biggest-export-market-for-goods/
https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41644330.html
Ireland is a significant market for Israeli exports, purchasing $3.2 billion worth of goods in 2024
