Proposed extensive penalties against Israel by the European Commission - EU Commissions suggests extensive penalties directed at Israel
The European Union (EU) has proposed far-reaching sanctions against Israel in response to developments in the Gaza Strip. The proposed measures aim to pressure Israel to change its course of action in the region, following a series of events that the EU believes violate human rights and international humanitarian law.
The EU Commission's proposal could put significant pressure on the Israeli government, as the EU is Israel's most important trading partner. In 2024, Israel's trade with the EU accounted for around 32 percent of its total international trade in goods, with a total trade volume in goods between the EU and Israel of 42.6 billion euros.
Stripping Israel of preferential trade treatment would affect 37 percent of its exports to the EU. The approval of 15 of the 27 EU countries, representing at least 65 percent of the EU's total population, is required for the trade sanctions to be implemented.
The EU Commission is relying on information from Hamas in its proposal for sanctions, following the terrorist organization's initiation of the Gaza conflict by carrying out a terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting more than 250 others.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered access for humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, however, wrote a letter to von der Leyen, stating that the proposal to suspend certain trade preferences due to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip is 'disproportionate' and 'unprecedented'.
The proposed sanctions include stripping Israel of preferential trade treatment and imposing penalties on extremist Israeli ministers and settlers. Specifically, Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich (Finance Minister) and Itamar Ben-Gvir (Police Minister) are the Israeli ministers targeted by the EU commission's proposed sanctions.
The German government has expressed cautious support for the EU Commission's proposed trade sanctions against Israel, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of political and economic impacts. On the other hand, the Italian government has shown a more reserved stance, advocating for dialogue and diplomatic solutions rather than immediate sanctions.
Without the support of countries like Germany and Italy, it is currently not foreseeable that the required majority will be achieved. The EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has appealed to Germany and Italy to support or propose alternatives to the plans for European trade sanctions against Israel. Some smaller countries like Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria have previously opposed harsh sanctions against Israel.
The European Commission believes that Israel's military offensive and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe violate human rights and international humanitarian law. The Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas is also proposed for new sanctions by the EU commission, following its initiation of the Gaza conflict.
The German and Italian governments, as well as the EU foreign policy chief, are now faced with a challenging decision. They must weigh the political and economic impacts of the proposed sanctions against the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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