EU announces intention to impose taxes and restrictions on Israel in response to uproar over the Gaza conflict
The European Union has announced plans to downgrade trade ties with Israel and impose sanctions on top officials due to findings of human rights abuses in Gaza. This move comes days before the United Nations General Assembly, where French President Emmanuel Macron will make a push to get more countries to recognize Palestinian statehood.
The EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, stated that the discussion is very political. The proposed measures aim to impose tariffs on €5.8 billion of imported goods from Israel and sanction National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The measures are part of a major policy shift for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has been under fire for months over a lack of action over abuses in Gaza. The proposed tariff measures target 37% of Israel's total exports to the EU, worth around €16 billion in 2024, adding €220 million in additional costs.
The EU is suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, focusing on goods rather than services. The Commission's proposals are more limited than those sought by some EU countries and officials. Announcing the measures, Kallas stated that the aim is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The moves come after massive demonstrations in European cities and furious calls from some EU leaders, like Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for the bloc to take stronger action against Israel. However, the measures have not obtained sufficient support due to persistent opposition from countries including Germany, Austria, Italy, and Hungary.
The measures have prompted a furious reaction from Israel, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accusing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of empowering terrorist groups. The EU is moving to suspend €14 million in direct support for various Israeli projects, but keeping funding for Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and peace-building initiatives.
Spain and Norway support planned measures including partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and introduction of tariffs on Israeli imports, aiming to pressure Israel over the Gaza humanitarian crisis. However, the overall support from EU member states is uncertain, with some countries expressing criticism and caution regarding the sanctions.
Both von der Leyen and Kallas plan to attend the gathering in New York. The European Commission's proposals are expected to face opposition from some EU capitals. The discussion is expected to continue as the EU seeks a balanced approach to address the ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
