site.btaEuropean Commission Proposes Sanctions against Israel, Including Suspension of Trade Concessions

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a proposal for a suspension of trade concessions with Israel and sanctions on Hamas, extremist ministers of the Israeli government and violent settlers.

The Commission announced that it is putting on hold its bilateral support to Israel, with the exception of support to civil society. This affects future yearly allocations between 2025 and 2027, as well as ongoing institutional cooperation projects with Israel and projects funded under the Regional EU-Israel cooperation facility, the press release says. 

The proposals follow a review of Israel's compliance with its EU Association Agreement, which found that actions taken by the Israeli government represent a breach of respect for human rights and democratic principles. This entitles the EU to suspend the Agreement unilaterally, the Commission said.

It specified that this breach refers to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza following the military intervention of Israel, the blockade of humanitarian aid, the intensifying of military operations and the decision of the Israeli authorities to advance the settlement plan in the so-called E1 area of the West Bank, which further undermines the two-state solution.

"The horrific events taking place in Gaza on a daily basis must stop," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is quoted as saying in the press release. "There needs to be an immediate ceasefire, unrestrained access for all humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas," she argued, adding that "the European Union remains the biggest donor of humanitarian aid and an unwavering champion of the two-state solution."

The press release points out that the suspension in practice means that imports from Israel will lose their preferential access to the EU market. These goods will therefore be charged duties at the level applied to any other third country with whom the EU has no free trade agreement.

The EU Council needs to adopt the decision on the trade-related provisions with a qualified majority. The sanctions against Hamas, extremist ministers of the Israeli government and violent settlers require a decision adopted by unanimity.