ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — In a significant shift from her previously pro-Israel stance, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday to pursue sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel due to its military actions in Gaza. This announcement has brought to the forefront the divisions among the 27-nation European Union regarding the ongoing conflict, highlighting the uncertainty about whether a majority will back the proposed measures.
Von der Leyen stated her intention to freeze EU support to Israel, an action that does not require the consensus of all member states. The response to the violence in Gaza has led to widespread protests across several European cities, including Amsterdam and Barcelona. These demonstrations have also spotlighted criticism of the EU's bureaucratic response to the crisis and its perceived failure to effectively persuade Israel to cease military operations and increase humanitarian access to Gaza.
The proposed sanctions could have major implications for Israel, as the EU is its largest trading partner. A commission official indicated that approximately €32 million ($37.5 million) in bilateral funds would be suspended immediately. The EU also provides financial support to the Palestinian Authority. Von der Leyen expressed that the plight of children and families in Gaza has "shaken the conscience of the world," prompting her to call for measures that include targeting far-right Israeli cabinet members and settlers in the West Bank, alongside suspending trade-related aspects of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Her remarks, delivered during the annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, came shortly after Israel issued warnings for residents of Gaza City to evacuate as it planned to intensify its military operations there. Von der Leyen emphasized that "man-made famine can never be a weapon of war" and urged for an immediate halt to the humanitarian crisis, a sentiment that resonated with many lawmakers present, some of whom wore red to symbolize solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Israel's government has countered these allegations, asserting that it does not allow starvation in Gaza and claiming to facilitate adequate humanitarian aid. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized von der Leyen's stance on social media, arguing that her decision succumbs to external pressures and threatens to undermine relations between Israel and Europe while inadvertently strengthening Hamas's position.
Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, described von der Leyen's proposed measures as "shamefully late." She urged member countries, particularly Germany and Italy, not to obstruct the sanctions if they come to a vote. Former Middle East advisor Schams El Ghoneimi expressed surprise at von der Leyen’s statement, noting her previous disregard for the situation in Gaza that had been echoed by EU personnel and various member states.
Within the EU, there are notable divides, as nations like Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland have criticized Israel, while Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have defended it, with Germany being Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the United States. Martin Konecny, director of the Brussels-based European Middle East Project, remarked on the inadequacy of von der Leyen's measures given the catastrophic conditions on the ground while acknowledging the significance of her shift in public support for Israel.
Since observing the aftermath of a Hamas attack on an Israeli kibbutz on October 14, 2023, von der Leyen had generally exhibited strong backing for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration. Following the attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the ongoing escalation that led to over 64,600 Palestinian fatalities, her recent calls for sanctions mark a notable reversal in her position, reflecting the urgent need for accountability and response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
