SAEDNEWS: The European Commission proposed suspending its free trade agreement with Israel and enacting sanctions over the war in Gaza.
The European Commission has proposed a series of sanctions against Israel, including the suspension of its free trade agreement, in response to the ongoing war in Gaza.
On Wednesday, the Commission announced plans to end preferential tariffs on Israeli imports, subjecting them to standard EU duties—putting Israel on the same footing as countries without a free trade deal. The move follows a review citing violations of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which emphasizes respect for human rights and democratic principles.
The proposal also includes suspending bilateral financial assistance from 2025 to 2027, affecting approximately €6 million in annual aid, plus institutional and regional cooperation projects totaling around €14 million.
The new sanctions package comprises four legal documents, targeting nine Israeli cabinet ministers and one extremist settler under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. Once approved by the Council of the European Union, trade suspensions will take effect 30 days after formal notification.
This bold step signals the EU’s growing willingness to hold Israel accountable for actions in Gaza while asserting human rights and international law as non-negotiable standards.
