The European Union unveiled its toughest measures yet against Israel on Wednesday, proposing new tariffs and sanctions aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its war in Gaza, according to AFP.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the plan in Brussels, urging all 27 member states to endorse higher tariffs on select Israeli goods and sanctions targeting Israeli settlers, two senior cabinet ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as well as 10 Hamas leaders.
“We are not punishing Israel or its people,” Kallas said. “We are pressing the government to change course, to end the suffering in Gaza, and to secure the release of all hostages.”
The measures would freeze European assets belonging to targeted individuals and bar their travel within the bloc. They also suspend €32 million ($37.5 million) in bilateral EU funds to Israel, while support for the Palestinian Authority would continue.
The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, and the new tariffs worth about €230 million would strip Israel of preferential treatment under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. A June review by EU diplomats concluded Israel had violated the human rights provisions of that deal. Instead, Israeli goods would face World Trade Organization tariffs ranging from 8 to 40 percent.
The proposals signal a stark shift in Europe’s stance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, once a staunch ally of Israel, called last week for “real pressure” over its Gaza campaign. Protests across European cities have also amplified calls for action.
Israel’s government responded defiantly. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Brussels of “empowering a terrorist organization” and vowed sanctions would fail: “Israel is a proud sovereign nation, and we will not bend through threats while our security is at stake.”
Gaza’s death toll has now surpassed 65,000 Palestinians since Hamas launched its October 2023 assault on Israel, according to local health authorities. With Israeli tanks and drones pushing deeper into the enclave, Europe’s move reflects both outrage at the war’s toll and frustration with Netanyahu’s hard-right cabinet.
Whether the 27 nations will unite behind the measures remains uncertain.
