EU’s Top Diplomat Signals Dim Prospects for sanctioning Israel
Brussels – The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed pessimism on Monday regarding the bloc’s ability to reach a consensus on imposing sanctions against Israel, citing deep divisions among member states. Borrell’s assessment comes amid mounting international pressure for accountability over Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and increasing calls for a more robust EU response.
The lack of unity within the EU highlights the complex geopolitical considerations at play, with nations like Germany and Austria strongly opposing sanctions, while others – including Spain, belgium, and Ireland – are pushing for measures targeting individuals and entities deemed responsible for violations of international law. The debate underscores the EU’s ongoing struggle to forge a unified foreign policy stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a challenge further intricate by the divergent national interests and historical ties of its 27 member states. Failure to agree on sanctions would signal a continued reluctance to leverage economic pressure as a tool to influence Israeli policy.
Borrell told reporters following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, “it is indeed difficult to reach a consensus on sanctions. There are different views among the member states.” He acknowledged the growing frustration over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the rising civilian death toll, but cautioned against expecting a swift resolution.
The push for sanctions gained momentum following a non-binding resolution passed by the European Parliament last month calling for an investigation into potential war crimes committed in Gaza and advocating for “targeted measures” against those found responsible. However, translating parliamentary resolutions into concrete EU action requires unanimous agreement from all member states – a hurdle proving increasingly difficult to overcome.
Germany, a key economic and political power within the EU, has consistently defended Israel’s right to self-defense and has voiced strong reservations about the effectiveness of sanctions. Austria shares similar concerns, arguing that sanctions could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
Conversely, countries like Spain, Belgium, and Ireland have been vocal in thier criticism of Israel’s military actions and have actively lobbied for sanctions as a means of demonstrating the EU’s commitment to upholding international law and protecting Palestinian civilians.
The debate is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with further discussions planned at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Though, Borrell’s latest remarks suggest that the prospects for a breakthrough remain slim, leaving the EU’s ability to exert meaningful pressure on Israel in question.
