Israeli sanctions do not encompass Merz
The German government is set to formulate its position on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal for sanctions against Israel, with a decision expected by early October. This decision comes amidst growing tension in the EU's relations with Israel, following military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The proposed sanctions are aimed at putting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to change course. They involve particular radical politicians, accused of human rights violations and incitement to hatred, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of Police Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Von der Leyen has suggested removing trade preferences that affect 37% of Israeli exports to the EU as part of the sanctions proposal. However, the discussion about this issue within the German cabinet is highly controversial.
Within the governing black-red coalition, the SPD advocates for putting more pressure on Israel, while the CSU is strictly against further sanctions. The CDU, on the other hand, rejects trade sanctions but is somewhat open to personal sanctions.
As the German federal government prepares to decide on von der Leyen's proposals, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently on an inaugural visit to Madrid. The visit is significant as it marks the start of his tenure. During a press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Merz did not address the proposals.
The EU summit at the beginning of October will discuss the proposal for sanctions against Israel. The location for this summit is Copenhagen, where the German federal government intends to present a unified stance at the informal council meeting on October 1st. The discussion about this issue will take place within the German cabinet in the coming week.
Merz has emphasized Germany's support for Israel but did not endorse every Israeli government decision. He also defended restricting arms exports to Israel, reflecting a balanced approach towards the complex issue.
As the deadline for a decision approaches, the German government is expected to have a position on the sanctions proposal that is supported by the entire federal government by October 1st. The outcome of this decision will have significant implications for the EU's relations with Israel and the broader Middle East.
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