Merz escapes the grasp of Israeli restrictions or penalties
In the heart of Europe, the German government is preparing for a crucial decision regarding sanctions against Israel. The discussion, sparked by a proposal from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is set to take place within the German cabinet in the coming week.
The proposal, made in response to Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip that have been sharply criticized by many countries, includes the possibility of imposing personal sanctions on certain Israeli officials, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, due to accusations of human rights violations and incitement to hatred.
However, the issue is highly contentious within the German coalition government. While the Social Democratic Party (SPD) supports putting more pressure on Israel, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) within the coalition government expresses disapproval towards trade sanctions but shows some openness to personal sanctions. The CSU, another member of the coalition, is firmly against further sanctions.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during his inaugural visit to Madrid, did not address the proposals during a press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The visit, marking Merz's first official trip abroad, was not focused on the sanctions issue.
The German government aims to establish a position on the sanctions proposal by early October, ahead of the informal council meeting scheduled on October 1st in Copenhagen. The EU summit is set to take place after the German government establishes its position on the proposal.
It is important to note that there is no credible information indicating that the German Finance Minister is accused by EU sanctions or was included in Ursula von der Leyen's proposal with such accusations. The recent EU sanctions proposals have primarily related to Russia and its war against Ukraine, with no German Finance Minister mentioned as being sanctioned or accused by the EU.
In addition to personal sanctions, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed revoking trade preferences for 37% of Israeli exports to the EU as a punitive measure. The decision, if established, is expected to be supported by the entire federal government of Germany.
As the deadline approaches, the German government is navigating a delicate balance between diplomatic relations, human rights concerns, and the political landscape within the coalition. The outcome of the discussion will have significant implications for the future of relations between Germany and Israel, as well as the EU as a whole.
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