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The EU said it would take immediate action by itself by freezing some 20 million euros (Rs 178 crore) in bilateral support for Israel amid mounting outrage over the Gaza war.
Israel’s new offensive in Gaza has triggered global outrage. (AFP/Representative Image)
The European Union on Wednesday proposed restricting trade relations with Israel and sanctioning its ministers in what is being considered the bloc’s strongest action over the ongoing war in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian enclave.
The bloc has proposed to suspend parts of a cooperation deal with Israel that allow for reduced tariffs on goods coming from the country. Officials say this would impact over a third of Israel’s exports to the EU, worth around six billion euros (Rs 53,400 crore), according to news agency AFP.
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“The horrific events taking place in Gaza on a daily basis must stop,” said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. “There needs to be an immediate ceasefire, unrestrained access for all humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.”
The European Commission has also called for asset freezes and visa bans on far-right Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, whose “extremist” rhetoric and controversial calls for Gaza takeover are being blamed for fuelling the violence.
Challenges For EU’s Plan Against Israel
The EU’s executive said it would take immediate action by itself by freezing some 20 million euros (Rs 178 crore) in bilateral support for Israel. These measures were floated by Von der Leyen last week and represent the strongest attempt by the EU to pressure Israel.
However, opposition from key member states, especially from von der Leyen’s own homeland Germany and Italy, means they will struggle to get the backing of enough EU countries to go through. Their reluctance had already stalled a softer proposal to cut funding to Israeli tech start-ups.
Israel’s campaign in Gaza – in retaliation to Hamas’ October 7 attack in 2023 that killed 1,219 people – has killed at least 64,964 people, mostly civilians and triggered a humanitarian crisis in the territory, with most of its population homeless and on the brink of starvation.
Israel Reacts To EU’s Plan
Israel has already urged Brussels against pushing on with the proposals. “Pressure through sanctions will not work,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote in a letter to von der Leyen.
The push for action within the EU comes as Israel has drawn fresh international condemnation by launching a major ground assault against Gaza City. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have already condemned Israel’s actions and demanded an immediate ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded on Tuesday that Israel committed genocide in Gaza and that top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, incited these acts.
The commission’s 72-page legal analysis cited examples of the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to back up its genocide finding, adding its voice to rights groups and others that have reached the same conclusion.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Brussels, Belgium
September 17, 2025, 18:23 IST
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