European Union Proposes Sweeping Trade Restrictions and Sanctions on Israel
The European Union Commission proposed sanctions and tariffs on trade with Israel after increased pressure following its recent invasion of the heart of Gaza (Flickr).
The European Union Commission announced a sweeping package of sanctions and tariffs on Israeli goods, settlers, and officials on September 17th. The actions, on behalf of the EU, are an effort to end Israel’s continued occupation of Gaza, and the United Nations-recognized genocide of the Palestinian people.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, proposed plans that would impose sanctions on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, two high-ranking members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet. Additionally, the plan would freeze individual European assets and impose travel bans within the EU. The EU, Israel’s largest trading partner, would also suspend nearly $37 million of funds controlled by the European Commission and nearly $166 million (37 percent) of tariffs on their goods.
The EU’s aggressive moves stem from increased international condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza, including its recent re-invasion of Gaza City. Israeli troops and tanks pressed further into the city, while their air force and artillery units struck the city over 150 times. This coincides with the return of nearly 450,000 Palestinians into central Gaza City, who were evacuated en masse after Israel’s previous invasion into the heart of Gaza. Furthermore, Israel is accused of creating “humanitarian zones” without water, basic supplies, or shelter, seemingly designed to exterminate or force out the remaining Palestinians. Over 60,000 Palestinians have been confirmed to be killed, and hundreds of thousands are still left unaccounted for due to the dire circumstances in Gaza. The proposal of EU sanctions comes a day after a United Nations independent investigation found that Israel had committed genocide of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with the report stating that Israel, “deliberately inflicted conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of the Palestinians in whole or in part.” Additionally, on September 20th, Portugal announced that it would join other European nations like France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Andorra, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino in officially recognizing the Palestinian state, increasing international pressure on Israel and providing legitimacy to the struggle of Palestine. These nations would join other European nations that already recognize Palestinian Statehood, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland.
The reactions of European officials are expected to be mixed, and the provisions are likely to face criticism while being passed. When speaking on the deliberate targeting of Israel through trade, Kallas said that the aim was, “not to punish Israel… [but to] improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.” Nations like Spain and Ireland are expected to support the measure as well. They have historically advocated for tougher actions against Israel. However, Germany and Italy are among the nations expected to provide resistance against the measure, which is due to their political alignment with Israel regarding their invasion of Gaza.