EU plans tough measures against Israel! What's behind the threat?

EU plans tough measures against Israel! What's behind the threat?

These days, a worrying picture is emerging in the situation in the Gaza Strip. The EU has begun preparing pressure measures against Israel if aid conditions for the Gaza Strip prove inadequate. According to a report by Lippe Welle, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has sent member states a catalog of possible measures. Options include suspending trade benefits, an arms embargo and tightening entry requirements for Israeli citizens. Measures that could block Israel's access to EU research funding programs are also under discussion.

The upcoming steps are a response to findings by EU auditors who found Israel violating human rights as required by the 2000 Association Agreement. There is a particular focus on reports of insufficient supplies of aid to the Gaza Strip, which Israel justifies with the claim that it is preventing Hamas from making financial gains [ Lip wave ].

Sanctions and the Association Agreement

The current tensions surrounding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the massive allegations against Israel are not new. A review by the European External Action Service, based on the findings of international organizations, has found that Israel's actions are incompatible with the human rights provisions of the Association Agreement. Many Palestinians have reportedly been killed by military action by the Israeli army, sparking outrage among Europeans [ Euronews ].

However, the federal government is reluctant to discuss possible sanctions. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) said that Germany was not prepared to suspend the Association Agreement and considers Israel to be a “democratic constitutional state in the Middle East”. This contrasts with calls from other EU members who are calling for an immediate suspension of the agreement and an arms embargo [ South Germans ].

Little agreement among EU member states

The discussions about the next steps have already left their first visible traces. At a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, high pressure is being exerted on Germany, while the majority of the 17 applicant states are calling for a review of relations with Israel. A vote on consequences of the recent reports is scheduled for a scheduled meeting in July. However, this requires the unity of all member states, which is seen as difficult [ Lip wave ].

All of these developments cast a shadow on the global perception of the EU as a peace broker in the Middle East conflict. Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares demanded more than just words from the EU and criticized the lack of concrete actions to live up to its responsibility for world peace.

Whether and how the EU will respond to the untenable conditions in the Gaza Strip remains to be seen. In any case, the current situation shows that the pressure on Member States to take clear steps is increasing.