EU proposes curbing Israel trade ties amid public pressure over Gaza genocide
EU proposes curbing Israel trade ties amid public pressure over Gaza genocide
M.U.H
18/09/20258
The European Union has proposed curbing trade ties with Israel and sanctioning extremist ministers over the relentless aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip.
The European Commission on Wednesday presented a much-delayed proposal to “suspend certain trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement between the 27-member bloc and Israel” in response to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
The bloc’s executive said it would take immediate action by freezing some 20 million euros ($23.7 million) in bilateral support for Israel.
Under its new proposals, Brussels is pressing to suspend parts of a cooperation deal with Israel that allow for reduced tariffs on goods coming from the entity.
The move is expected to hit more than a third of Israel’s exports to the EU, worth around six billion euros.
The commission also called for asset freezes and visa bans on far-right Israeli regime’s ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and sanctions against settlers, who are responsible for fueling the violence against Palestinians.
Those measures, initially floated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a keynote speech last week, represent the firmest attempt by the EU chief to pressure Israel.
“The horrific events taking place in Gaza on a daily basis must stop,” EU chief von der Leyen said.
But, reluctance from key EU member states risks blocking the measure.
In response to the EU proposal, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar threatened EU states that back the move, saying, “Steps against Israel will be answered accordingly and we hope we will not be required to take them.”
The proposal by the EU, a key backer of Israel, comes as pressure has mounted on the 27-nation bloc to take action against Israel over its devastating, nearly two-year genocidal war in Gaza.
Observers maintain that EU measures to stop Israeli genocide in Gaza are too little too late.
Along with the United States and Britain, EU states provide Israel with billions in revenues for military use and continue providing weapons to the Tel Aviv regime through third countries and secret deals.
Growing numbers of protesters have taken to the streets across Europe in recent months to demand action from their governments to pressure Israel to end its war on Gaza.
The push for action also comes as Israel has drawn fresh international condemnation by launching a major ground assault against Gaza City,
A United Nations probe recently accused Israel of committing genocide in the Palestinian territory, saying the Israeli regime's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other senior officials had incited the crime.
