EU moves to suspend trade agreement with Israel over Gaza war
The European Commission has unveiled a proposal to suspend parts of its trade agreement with Israel, citing violations of human rights and democratic principles in the ongoing war on Gaza.
The plan, announced Wednesday, includes raising tariffs on some Israeli goods and sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as well as violent settlers and 10 Hamas leaders.
READ ALSO: ‘Tired’ of EU inaction on Gaza, Belgium imposes sanctions on Israel
However, the measures still lack broad backing among the EU’s 27 member states.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the daily devastation in Gaza demanded action, calling for “an immediate ceasefire, unrestrained access for humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages.”
READ ALSO: Support for Israel at all-time low across Western Europe – Survey
The EU also said it would freeze bilateral support to Israel, except for aid to civil society groups and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Remembrance Center.
The move follows months of internal EU disputes, with countries such as Spain and Ireland urging sanctions, while Germany and Hungary resisted.
Mounting public protests and a UN inquiry declaring Israel’s actions genocidal have intensified calls for the bloc to take a firmer stance.
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