European Commission Proposes Suspension Of Israel's Trade Treaty In The Aftermath Of Gaza War

Gaza/UnICEF/Eyad El Baba Line Conditions

JAKARTA - The European Commission proposed suspending trade agreements impacting Israeli exports worth around 5.8 billion euros ($6.87 billion) due to the Gaza war.

The proposal currently does not have sufficient support from EU countries to be ratified.

The Head of the European Union's Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, also proposed a package of sanctions against two Israeli ministers, as well as "violence" Israeli settlers and 10 senior members of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.

The two ministers are right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Israel's nearly two-year attack on Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation have stepped up political pressure on European leaders to take action.

The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner, with trading between the two reaching 42.6 billion euros last year, according to the European Union.

If a free trade agreement is suspended, Israel will be subject to import duties at the same level as other countries without trade agreements with the bloc.

"In Israeli cases, it will affect exports worth around 5.8 billion euros, which results in an estimated import fee of 227 million euros per year," a senior European Commission official told reporters.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on X European proposals were " morally and politically distorted, and it was hoped the proposal would not be adopted".

The suspension of free trade arrangements, which was first proposed, reopened by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week, will require the support of the EU government's eligible majority - 15 of the 27 EU member states representing 65% of the EU population.

EU diplomats told Reuters it was unlikely the proposal would get the necessary support, as it was largely dependent on Germany, which has so far been reluctant to impose EU sanctions on Israel.