EU Moves to Suspend Trade Preferences with Israel, Sanctions Officials Over Gaza Crisis
The European Union (EU) has announced a major policy shift, unveiling plans to suspend trade preferences with Israel and impose sanctions on senior Israeli officials over ongoing human rights violations in Gaza.
EU Calls Gaza Situation “Untenable”
Speaking after a high-level meeting of the European Commission, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza can no longer be ignored.
“The goal of these measures is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Kallas said.
She condemned Israel’s latest military offensive in Gaza City, warning that further escalation would deepen civilian suffering and weaken hopes for a two-state solution.
Trade Preferences to Be Suspended
Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, confirmed that the proposed measures would impact Israel’s preferential trade status under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.
This means Israeli imports will lose tariff advantages and instead face standard duties like any other country without a trade agreement.
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In 2024, trade between the EU and Israel reached €42.6 billion ($50.4 billion) — nearly one-third of Israel’s total trade.
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The suspension is expected to put pressure on Israel while sending a strong political message.
Sanctions Against Ministers and Settlers
In addition to trade measures, the EU is preparing sanctions on extremist cabinet ministers, violent settlers, and Hamas members. These steps require unanimous approval from the European Council.
The Commission also confirmed the suspension of about €14 million in bilateral funding to the Israeli government, while ensuring that funds for Holocaust remembrance, Jewish cultural programs, and civil society cooperation remain unaffected.
EU Leadership Speaks Out
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined that the humanitarian crisis is at the center of the EU’s decision:
“The horrific events taking place in Gaza on a daily basis must stop.”
Mounting Humanitarian Toll
According to local authorities, Israel’s military campaign since October 2023 has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The continuous bombardment has destroyed infrastructure, worsened famine, and spread disease, leaving much of Gaza in ruins.
The EU’s move marks one of the strongest collective actions yet by a major trading bloc, reflecting growing public pressure across Europe to act decisively on the Gaza crisis.
