"The EU executive has called for a suspension of free trade with Israel and sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Ursula von der Leyen had already floated the proposal to suspend the trade parts of the EU-Israel association agreement last week as the European Commission faced intense pressure for greater action amid criticism that it was not using its economic leverage to influence the Israeli government."
"The commission also called for sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank and 10 Hamas leaders. The plans were presented as Israeli forces pressed ahead with their offensive in Gaza City, deepening a conflict that has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages."
The European Commission proposed suspending the trade parts of the EU-Israel association agreement, reimposing tariffs on some Israeli goods and charging Israeli exports duties equivalent to countries with no free-trade agreement. It proposed freezing mutual benefits on public contract bidding and intellectual property protection. The commission called for sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich and 10 Hamas leaders. No certain majority exists among member states because Germany is reluctant. The commission failed to secure a majority to suspend EU research grants to Israeli organisations. Israeli forces continued an offensive in Gaza City amid a conflict that has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians since 7 October 2023.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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