EU mulls sanctions on 'Israel' over Gaza atrocities

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Jul 2025 18:26
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The EU is drafting a list of possible punitive actions—including trade suspension, sanctions, and an arms embargo—against "Israel" over its genocidal war on Gaza, but internal divisions and pro-"Israel" alliances threaten to block meaningful accountability.

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European Union flags flap in the wind outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

The European Union is reportedly preparing a list of punitive measures in response to war crimes committed against the Palestinian people. According to Euractiv, EU officials are drafting a document outlining five possible steps, which will be shared with the bloc's ambassadors next Wednesday and discussed by foreign ministers in Brussels on July 15.

The document reportedly includes proposals such as suspending the EU-Israeli trade agreement, partially or fully, imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers, military officers, and settlers, introducing trade restrictions, halting arms transfers, and freezing scientific cooperation with the regime.

But while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, political realities within the EU threaten to obstruct meaningful action. Any move to suspend the association agreement would require unanimous consent, something unlikely due to unwavering support for "Israel" from countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. The European Commission also appears reluctant to back sweeping economic penalties.

An arms embargo, which could prevent EU complicity in the massacre of Palestinian civilians, is also considered improbable, as Germany is expected to oppose it, despite widespread documentation of civilian deaths, the targeting of hospitals and schools, and the use of banned munitions in Gaza.

EU diplomats told Euractiv that individual sanctions targeting those most directly involved in the campaign against Palestinians are the most realistic option, given political constraints.

Delayed Accountability

The internal discussions come as international outrage builds over "Israel's" brutal response to the October 7 events, which has since been used as justification for a months-long genocidal campaign that has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, including tens of thousands of women and children. The aggression has displaced much of Gaza's population, destroyed critical infrastructure, and expanded into Lebanon and Yemen, further destabilizing the region.

Despite the mounting death toll and credible accusations of genocide from human rights experts and UN officials, Western governments continue to shield "Israel" from serious accountability. The EU's hesitation reflects this broader failure, though the emerging list of measures suggests that public pressure and internal dissent are forcing the issue onto the agenda.

As the July 15 meeting approaches, Palestinians and their allies around the world are watching closely to see whether Europe will continue to provide impunity, or take a step, however limited, toward justice.