EU Commission proposes curbs on trade with Israel over Gaza war
The European Commission announced its plans to implement sanction with Israel restricting trade and pro -excessive ministers in its government; If this is accepted – the EU will be the most challenging response to the war in Gaza.
The plans watched by the Commission President Ursula von der Luyen last week would suspend the provisions of the EU-Israeli Association agreement on trade.
This is with the tariffs imposed on billions of euros exports, including agricultural products such as dates and citrus fruits, which have privileged access to the European markets.
However, despite the strong language, the measures did not seem likely to pass and was rejected by Israel as “morally and politically distorted”.
While trade restrictions require the approval of the qualified majority of member states, sanctions demand unanimously.
Due to the objection of key members, including Germany and Italy and Ireland and Spain, it calls for a much more challenging action, and does not seem to be likely to adopt.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas accepted the challenge at the Council of Europe and said to journalists: “Political lines are where they have been.”
The package also said in the Israeli government that “Hamas terrorists”, anonymous “pro -excess ministers” and “violent settlers and assets supporting the ongoing punishment in the West Bank”.
The EU is the number one trade partner of Israel and constitutes 32% of goods trade in 2024 and € 42.6 billion (£ 35.8 billion). Nevertheless, the economic impact of the termination of tariff preferences will be limited. Trade commissioner Maroš šefčovič predicted the effect as only 227 million € per year.
The only precaution that comes into force is to suspend bilateral support to the Israeli government. However, this is largely symbolic to only 9.4 million € from 14 million € allocated for 2020-24 – and does not require approval from the member states.
Mediterranean commissioner Dubravka šuica stressed that the financing of programs that struggle against anti -Semitism and support civil society will not be affected.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected the commission’s suggestions as “morally and politically distorted”, and promised that the actions against Israel against Israel will harm Europe’s own interests and that the steps taken against their country will be answered “in the same”.
It is not immediately clear when the measures will be voted by the members.
