The European Commission will propose a package of measures against Israel to stop the war in Gaza, said EC President Ursula von der Leyen in her annual State of the European Union address, BTA reports.
“We cannot afford to be paralyzed. That is why I will propose a package of measures to find a way forward“, said Von der Leyen from the rostrum of the European Parliament. “First, the EC will do everything possible on its own. We will stop our bilateral support for Israel. We will stop all payments in these areas, without affecting our work with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem.
She added that the EC would propose to the EU Council to impose sanctions against extremist ministers in the Israeli government and against settlers who are violent in the West Bank. "We will also propose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade issues. I realize that it will be difficult to find a majority and that any action may be too much for some people," she stressed.
Von der Leyen noted that "man-made famine can never be a weapon of war" and stressed that Israel's actions in the West Bank and the statements of extremist ministers undermine the two-state solution. According to her, the EU's commitment to a viable Palestinian Authority keeps this decision alive.
A Donors' Group for Palestine will be established next month, as well as a dedicated instrument for the reconstruction of Gaza.
“I am a long-standing friend of the people of Israel. I know how the terrible attacks of 7 October 2023, carried out by Hamas terrorists, shook the nation. The hostages have been held captive for more than 700 days. There will never be a place for Hamas. Europe's goal has always been one - real security for Israel and a safe present and future for all Palestinians. This means that the hostages must be released, that there must be unrestricted access to all humanitarian aid and an immediate ceasefire,“ the EC President stressed.