Brussels (dpa-AfX)-In response to Israel’s approach to the Gaza Strip, the EU Commission wants to present further specific suggestions for sanctions against the country this Wednesday. As a spokeswoman said, among other things, it will be about a possible suspension of certain trading advantages that are part of an association agreement between the EU and Israel. The proposal is one of the measures announced last week by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, she said. These also provide a stop of payments from an EU pot for international cooperation.
It is unclear whether the proposal to suspend trade releases will receive the necessary support from the Council of the EU member states. Last Wednesday, the Leyen himself admitted that it was aware that it would be difficult to find majorities for it.
The EU is deeply divided when dealing with Israel. To date, there is not even the necessary majority for a commission proposal already submitted in July to stop parts of the cooperation as part of the Horizon Europe research funding program. Among other things, the Federal Government is against the measure and justifies this with the fact that it is not targeted enough. On the other hand, the Spanish government, which considers the EU’s procedure, is far too hesitant.
A spokesman for EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas said that the EU had repeatedly appealed to Israel, not intensifying the operation in Gaza-City, as a spokesman for EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas. “It is high time to break through the cycle of violence, destruction and suffering,” he said ./aha/dp/jha