EU Announces Trade Penalties and Restrictions Against Israel Due to Conflict in Gaza
The European Union (EU) has proposed imposing tariffs on 37% of Israel's 15.9 billion euros worth of goods imported to the EU, and sanctions against Israeli settlers, certain high-ranking politicians, and 10 Hamas leaders. This move follows the announcement by Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, seeking sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel.
The proposed tariffs, amounting to approximately 230 million euros (US$166 million), would fall back on World Trade Organization tariffs, which vary from 8% to 40% on individual goods. Notably, Israeli arms exports to the EU will remain unaffected under the proposal.
The sanctions are intended to pressure the Israeli government to end the human suffering in Gaza, according to Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief. The death count in Gaza on Wednesday surpassed 65,000 Palestinians since the war began on October 7, 2023. European officials stated that Israel's military campaign in Gaza and increasing violent settlement activity in the West Bank have given "new momentum" to the sanctions.
The EU's proposal to revoke the zero-tariff preference for a select amount of imported Israeli goods has been met with opposition. So far, no EU member states have officially supported these measures, with major countries like Germany and Italy blocking them at the EU level. It's unclear whether a majority of the 27-nation EU will agree to endorse the sanctions and trade measures.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused von der Leyen of empowering a terrorist organization and vowed that Israel will resist the European campaign. Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza and claims it allows enough humanitarian aid.
The EU's proposed actions come amidst worsening relations between Europe and Israel. The EU diplomatic corps found in June that Israel had violated the human rights component of the Association Agreement. The EU also gives support to the Palestinian Authority.
The proposed sanctions reflect the growing international concern over the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the impact it has on the Palestinian population. The EU's actions are a clear statement of its commitment to upholding human rights and international law. However, the ultimate outcome of these proposals remains to be seen, with the EU yet to secure the necessary support from its member states.
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
