European Commission calls for freezing free trade with Israel

2025-09-17 19:31:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The European Commission has called for the suspension of free trade with Israel and sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Ursula von der Leyen had already tabled the proposal to suspend the trade parts of the EU-Israel association agreement last week, while the European Commission faced growing pressure for greater action amid criticism that it was not using its economic clout to influence the Israeli government.

However, there is no definite majority among EU member states for the proposals presented on Wednesday, because Germany, one of Israel's key allies, has long been reluctant to take such steps.

The proposals include suspending Israel's preferential access to the European market by reinstating tariffs on some goods and freezing mutual benefits related to bidding for public contracts and the protection of intellectual property rights.

The commission also called for sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and 10 Hamas leaders.

The plans were unveiled as Israeli forces continued their offensive in Gaza City, deepening a conflict that has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.

EU trade commissioner Maroš Šef?ovi? said the proposal meant that goods from Israel would be charged equivalent tariffs to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the bloc.

"We regret that we have had to take this step. However, we believe it is appropriate and proportionate given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza," he said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar wrote in X that the European proposals were "morally and politically distorted, and it is hoped that they will not be approved, as has happened so far."

The commission has been unable to secure the necessary majority for more modest plans to suspend EU research grants to Israeli organizations. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, suggested on Wednesday that the same divisions remain.

“Even though we see that public opinion in member states is really changing because of the suffering in Gaza… on a political level… I think the political lines are very much where they have been up until now,” she said.

For suspensions of preferential trade or research grants to be approved, Germany or Italy would need to give their support. Both measures depend on finding a weighted majority of 15 of the 27 member states representing at least 65% of the EU population.

Asked about the trade proposals, a German government spokesman said Berlin had "not yet formed a final opinion on them." / CNA, translated by "The Guardian"