The European Union weighs unprecedented measures against Israel, in particular sanctions against far -right ministers and a partial frost by its trade agreement, the president of the European Commission announced on Wednesday.
In his speech from the Union to the European Parliament, Von Der Leyen said that the Gaza humanitarian crisis had “shaken the conscience of the world”, adding that the Commission would advance proposals even in the midst of the internal divisions of the EU.
According to a July policy document, an option under study is the suspension of the commercial chapter of the EU-Israel Association agreement, which currently grants preferential access to Israeli export to the European market.
The EU is the largest trading partner in Israel, head of nearly a third of its international product trade last year.
Such a suspension would require a qualified majority vote, the support of 15 of the 27 member states representing at least 65% of the block population, according to threshold diplomats, it remains difficult given deep disagreements among capital capitals.
EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed on Tuesday that a set of sanctions had been prepared, although the unanimous agreement between states has so far been elusive.
Germany’s position should be decisive, Berlin publicly pointing out that it is “not yet convinced”.
Von der Leyen has also revealed bilateral support freezing to the Israeli government, while maintaining a commitment with civil society groups and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Center in Israel.
Meanwhile, the Commission intends to launch a group of donors from Palestine in October, with funding mechanisms for the reconstruction of Gaza.
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