European Commission calls for suspension of free trade with Israel over Gaza
Brussels, September 18 (Hibya) – The EU’s executive body has called for the suspension of free trade with Israel and for sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ursula von der Leyen last week proposed suspending the trade parts of the EU–Israel partnership agreement. The European Commission has faced mounting pressure to take further steps amid criticism that it has not used its economic leverage to influence the Israeli government.
However, there is no clear majority among EU member states for the proposals announced on Wednesday, as Germany, a key ally of Israel, has long been reluctant to take such measures.
The proposals include reintroducing tariffs on certain goods, suspending Israel’s preferential access to the European market, and freezing mutual benefits related to public procurement and intellectual property rights protection.
The Commission also called for sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as well as on 10 Hamas leaders.
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