EU on the verge of trade sanctions against Israel

The European Commission has proposed suspending existing free-trade benefits for Israeli goods in the wake of the Gaza war. However, the measure does not yet have enough support among EU member states to pass.

The Times of Israel reported on Wednesday (September 17).

EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas proposed another sanctions package, which would target Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, violent settlers as well as Hamas members.

“I want to be very clear: the goal is not to punish Israel. The goal is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The war must end, the suffering must stop and all hostages must be released,” Kallas said. The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner.

On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described the European Commission's proposal as "morally and politically perverse."

He wrote in X, "Anti-Israeli measures would harm European interests."

Sa'ar promised, "Israel will fight with the support of its European friends against any attempt to harm it in its struggle for existence. If anti-Israeli measures are taken, they will be responded to, although we hope that the situation will not reach that point."