EU Considers Trade Measures Against Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
The European Commission is considering suspending preferential trade terms with Israel, a move prompted by mounting pressure from pro-Palestine campaigners and human rights groups concerned about the ongoing military campaign in gaza. Israel is a major trading partner with Europe, exporting approximately €16 billion in goods to the EU last year – nearly a third of its total global trade.
Currently, a free-trade agreement established in 2000 eliminates tariffs on imports between Israel and the EU. suspending this agreement would reinstate annual import duties of an estimated €227 million on Israeli exports.
The proposal comes as the conflict in Gaza continues, with Gazan health authorities reporting at least 64,900 Palestinian deaths over nearly two years. A global hunger monitor has confirmed famine is occurring in parts of Gaza. Israel launched its military operation in response to attacks by hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7th, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths, according to Israeli figures.
EU member states will debate the proposed suspension of Israel’s preferential market access,with the stances of germany and Italy expected to be especially influential. A previous, more limited proposal to suspend Israel’s access to Horizon funding for start-up companies failed to garner sufficient support earlier this year.
Israel is anticipated to actively lobby against the trade suspension. In a September 16th letter, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of attempting to harm Israel during what he termed an “existential” war with Hamas, arguing the EU’s proposal would strengthen the militant group and hinder efforts to end the conflict.
However, kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, stated on Wednesday that the commission’s intention is not to “punish” Israel, but to leverage the trade measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The move has been welcomed by Irish officials.Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris called it a “critical turning point,” and Taoiseach Micheál Martin pledged to urge all member states to support the measures when they are voted upon.
alongside the trade considerations, the Commission has also proposed sanctions, including travel bans, targeting individuals on both sides of the conflict. These proposed sanctions include two extremist Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, along with violent Israeli settlers and ten senior Hamas figures. Unanimous approval from all 27 EU states is required for these sanctions, but measures against Smotrich and Ben-gvir face strong opposition, particularly from Hungary, and are unlikely to be approved.
The proposal follows a recent conclusion by a United Nations commission of inquiry that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza – a charge Israel has rejected.
