Euractiv: EU to propose sanctions options on Israel over Gaza

The European Union is expected to unveil a list of potential punitive measures against Israel next week over its military conduct in Gaza, though internal divisions within the bloc make their adoption unlikely.

According to diplomats familiar with the matter, the EU’s External Action Service (EEAS) will present a formal options paper to member state ambassadors on July 9, Caliber.Az reports via Euractiv. 

The document is expected to outline around five possible responses, ranging from a partial or full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to sanctions on individual Israeli officials and settlers, as well as restrictions on arms exports and scientific cooperation.

While many of these ideas have been raised in previous discussions, this marks the first time they will be officially laid out in writing. The move follows an internal EU review of the Association Agreement – seen by Euractiv – which found “indications of a breach” of the deal’s human rights provisions.

EU foreign ministers will discuss the paper at their meeting on July 15 in Brussels, their final gathering before the summer break. That date also serves as an informal deadline for Israel to show progress in improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Israel has rejected the EU’s findings, labelling the review “outrageous” and “methodologically flawed.”

“The first goal is to change behaviour on the ground,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas last month. “If the situation does not improve, then we can discuss further measures.”

In recent weeks, an EU technical delegation led by Middle East envoy Christophe Bigot has travelled to Israel for talks, but officials remain cautious about the prospect of securing meaningful commitments from the Israeli side.

Although the European Commission has presented the review as part of efforts to alleviate civilian suffering, member states remain divided over whether to take concrete action.

Any suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement – even partially – would require unanimous support among member states, something viewed as highly unlikely given opposition from countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Brussels has so far refrained from adopting a firm position, instead encouraging ministers to keep discussions open pending further developments on the ground.

The Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, is also thought to be reluctant to impose sweeping economic measures.

An EU-wide arms embargo is considered equally unlikely, particularly as Germany, Israel’s top European arms supplier, is expected to resist such a move.

Nonetheless, targeted sanctions on individuals, such as those already adopted by the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway, are seen as the most realistic option currently under discussion.

“We still hope that there can be some sort of deal with them,” one EU official said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev