The European Commission proposed suspending a trade arrangement that impacts approximately 5.8 billion euros ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports because of the ongoing Gaza war. However, this proposal currently lacks sufficient support from EU member states to be approved. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also suggested sanctions against two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as well as against “violent” Israeli settlers and ten senior members of Hamas.
The push for these actions comes amid Israel’s prolonged offensive in Gaza and the growing humanitarian crisis, leading to increased pressure on European leaders. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, with total trade reaching 42.6 billion euros last year. If the trade arrangement is halted, Israel would face higher duties on its exports, estimated to generate an annual cost of about 227 million euros.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the EU’s proposals as “morally and politically distorted. ” To suspend the trade agreement, a qualified majority of 15 out of 27 EU members representing 65% of the population is needed, but support is uncertain, particularly from Germany, which wishes to maintain communication with Israel. Kallas acknowledged a shift in public opinion due to suffering in Gaza but noted that political positions remain largely unchanged. The EU is also halting its bilateral support for Israel, though it will continue working with Israeli civil society and Yad Vashem.
With information from Reuters
