Brussels is set to propose sanctions against Israel as the Gaza war escalates, signaling a tougher EU stance amid growing international pressure.
The European Commission will present sanctions against Israel on Wednesday, while the Israeli military presses ahead with a ground offensive in Gaza city.
"Tomorrow, during the College meeting, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,"
Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said Tuesday during a briefing.
As part of the plan, the EU-Israel Euro-Mediterranean Agreement's trade provisions will be suspended, and militant settlers and radical government officials will be sanctioned.
Germany is the main barrier to the idea. The leaders of the EU's largest nation, which is also one of Israel's strongest supporters, believe that because Nazi Germany was responsible for the Holocaust, they owe the world's sole Jewish nation a historic debt.
Germany has thwarted European attempts to diplomatically urge Israel to stop its military attack on Gaza, which has left a large portion of the strip in ruins and claimed a significant number of lives.
Asked by Euronews how she would convince Germany to shift its stance, the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said she would push the country to "bring alternatives" if it won't agree to proposed measures.
"If Germany had agreed to something a couple of years ago or agrees now, then it would actually put pressure on Israel and the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank may not be as grave as it is now,"
she added.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Kallas and Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will give more information.
In her yearly State of the Union address in Strasbourg last week, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen initially presented the suggestions.
Which specific trade provisions would be suspended under the proposal?
The suspension would terminate the preferential tariff status for Israeli goods coming into the EU. Israeli products will be subject to the standard EU import duties as opposed to the current reduced or zero-rate tariffs.
In 2024, trade between the EU and Israel was approx. €42.6 billion, with about 37% benefiting from preferential tariff status. The effect of the suspension would substantially increase costs for Israeli exports to the EU.
The measure is intended to use economic leverage by reversing trade benefits, mainly tariffs under the association agreement, involving either elimination or reduction of tariffs, simplified customs procedures, etc., and access to markets.