European Commission Suggests Imposing Sanctions on Israeli Ministers and Increasing Customs Duties in Response to the Gaza Conflict Crisis - European Commission Suggests Imposition of Sanctions on Israeli Ministers and Increased Customs Duties
The European Union Commission has announced a significant move towards Israel, proposing a partial suspension of the agreement between the two parties. This decision, announced last week by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also includes the halting of bilateral payments to Israel and the proposal of sanctions against several Israeli and Hamas officials.
The proposed sanctions are aimed at Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, along with ten members of Hamas' political bureau. The specifics of their involvement in the proposed sanctions are not yet clear, as the commission has not specified the nature of the proposed sanctions against these individuals.
The EU Commission has also proposed sanctions against some individuals associated with Hamas, but the details of their involvement remain undisclosed. Ten members of Hamas' political bureau are also proposed for sanctions, although the names of these individuals and their current locations are not publicly available.
The proposal for sanctions against Israel has not been met with unanimous agreement. Some countries, including Hungary and Italy, have expressed opposition to the sanctions. However, the EU Commission does not need the approval of EU countries for halting bilateral payments to Israel.
The federal government of Germany has not yet formed a final opinion on sanctions against Israel. Germany has opposed suspending the agreement with Israel, but the final decision lies with the EU Commission.
The EU imported goods worth €15.9 billion from Israel in 2024. The proposed sanctions could potentially lead to increased tariffs on approximately 37% of Israel's imports, primarily affecting agricultural products like dates, fruits, and nuts. The EU has already halted bilateral payments from the EU to Israel, affecting €6 million under the European Neighborhood Policy and around €14 million for ongoing projects.
The commission estimates that these measures could lead to additional tariffs of around €227 million. Israel could potentially respond by increasing tariffs on goods from the EU.
It is important to note that some of these individuals are located in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while others are abroad. The exact locations of the Hamas political bureau members proposed for sanctions are not publicly available.
This proposal for a partial suspension of the agreement with Israel and the proposed sanctions against Israeli and Hamas officials is a significant development in the relationship between the EU and Israel. As the situation evolves, more details about the nature of the sanctions and their impact on both parties are expected to emerge.
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