EU Commission proposes sanctions on Israeli Cabinet ministers, violent settlers, saying ‘aim is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza’. The EU executive has called for a suspension of free trade with Israel and sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers. Kaja Kallas said that all member states agree that the situation in Gaza is “untenable”. The commission also announced sanctions on Palestinian resistance group Hamas, extremist Cabinet ministers of the Israeli government, and violent settlers.
BRUSSELS SEPTEMBER 17: The European Commission has proposed suspending free-trade arrangements on Israeli goods and sanctioning two Israeli ministers, violent settlers, and Hamas members amid the war in Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the move aims to improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation, not punish Israel. The package still lacks majority support among member states.
The EU executive has called for a suspension of free trade with Israel and sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Kaja Kallas said that all member states agree that the situation in Gaza is “untenable,” while also cautioning that “dangerous developments” in the West Bank threaten the viability of a two-state solution.
Speaking after a meeting of the commission, she also criticized the Israeli government’s military push into Gaza City, calling it a new escalation that will only worsen the humanitarian crisis.
The proposals include suspending Israel’s preferential access to the European market by reimposing tariffs on some goods, and freezing mutual benefits related to bidding for public contracts and the protection of intellectual property rights.
The commission also announced sanctions on Palestinian resistance group Hamas, extremist Cabinet ministers of the Israeli government, and violent settlers. The EU Council now needs to approve the decision unanimously.
Featured Image: Jaber Jehad Badwan
