European Commission proposes suspension of trade concessions with Israel
The European Commission has presented a much anticipated and delayed proposal to “suspend certain trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel” in response to the war on Gaza.
The sanctions, however, do not currently have enough support among the EU’s 27 member countries to pass. The proposals include suggested sanctions on “extremist” Israeli ministers and violent settlers as well as Hamas.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, urged EU members to increase tariffs on some Israeli goods and impose sanctions on 10 Hamas leaders, Israeli settlers and two far-right members of Netanyahu’s cabinet: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The commission also said it was pausing its bilateral support to Israel with the exception of support to civil society and Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
“The proposals follow a review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the Agreement, which found that actions taken by the Israeli government represent a breach of essential elements relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles. This entitles the EU to suspend the Agreement unilaterally,” the commission said.
‘Cannot continue like this’: Israeli industry leader criticises EU sanction plan
The president of Israel’s Manufacturers Association, an umbrella organisation representing all industrial sectors, has criticised an EU proposal to sanction the country over its war on Gaza.
Ron Tomer warned the punitive measures announced by the EU’s leadership may also harm the trade bloc.
In a report picked up by Israel’s public broadcaster, Tomer said “we cannot continue like this when Israeli exports are being hit day after day, sometimes from within and sometimes from without.
“If the European Union chooses to implement ‘economic sanctions’, it will also harm itself,” he added.
Israel condemns proposed EU sanctions, warns of consequences for supporters
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calls the sanctions proposed to EU member states “morally and politically distorted”. Saar said he hopes the plan isn’t adopted when it reaches EU member states, who have to vote on it.
“Israel will continue to fight, with the help of its friends in Europe, against attempts to harm it while it is engaged in an existential war,” Saar said in a post on X.
He also appeared to threaten states that back the move, saying: “Steps against Israel will be answered accordingly and we hope we will not be required to take them.”
