Von der Leyen proposes partial suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement
The European Commission will propose a partial suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement and the introduction of sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers, president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday.
The situation in Gaza has caused deep divisions within the EU. Some member states want to introduce measures against Israel, while others resist such measures. The Commission has mostly stayed out of the discussion, only tabling a proposal for partial suspension of scientific cooperation under the Horizon programme, on which member states failed to agree.
That has changed. Von der Leyen said during her annual State of the Union address the Commission will propose a partial suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement, with a focus on its trade aspects, and the introduction of sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers.
The Commission president added that she hopes member states will come to an agreement on the issue. “I am aware it will be difficult to find majorities. And I know that any action will be too much for some, too little for others. But we must all take our own responsibilities,” Von der Leyen said.
No more bilateral support
Von der Leyen also said the Commission will suspend its bilateral support to Israel. "We will stop all payments in these areas, without affecting our cooperation with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem (the official Holocaust memorial centre, ed.)," Von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Strasbourg
She described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”. “What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world," she said. "Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop."
The Commission’s proposals are similar to measures taken by the Belgian government earlier this month. After intense negotiations, the federal government agreed to impose an import ban on products from Israeli-occupied territories, as well as travel bans on two far-right Israeli ministers. It would also press the EU to review Israel’s privileged trade status with the bloc.
PHOTO © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP
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