EU Foreign Policy Chief Expresses Lack of Optimism Over Potential Sanctions Against Israel
The European Union's divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict hinder efforts to adopt punitive measures against Israel.
COPENHAGEN: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed her lack of optimism regarding the implementation of sanctions against Israel during a meeting in Denmark.
The gathering, which includes foreign ministers from member states, is set to discuss a proposal that would involve suspending EU funding for Israeli start-ups as an initial response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
However, the bloc has yet to secure the required majority support to enforce this measure or to pursue more comprehensive actions against Israel.
The European Union's inability to act collectively stems from internal divisions between nations that support Israel and those that side with the Palestinians.
These schisms have often left the EU unable to respond effectively to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Countries advocating for stricter measures against Israel have faced resistance, hindering the bloc's efforts to reach a consensus.
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, emphasized the need for the EU to convert its words into action.
He highlighted Denmark's support for suspending trade cooperation with Israel, sanctioning right-wing Israeli ministers, and banning imports from settlements deemed unlawful by the international community.
Israel is under mounting pressure domestically and internationally to cease its military campaign in Gaza, where a significant portion of the population has been displaced, leading the United Nations to declare a state of famine.
The conflict in Gaza began following Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,219 people, mostly civilians.
In response, Israel's retaliatory strikes have led to the loss of at least 63,025 Palestinian lives, predominantly civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza that are considered reliable by the United Nations.
The gathering, which includes foreign ministers from member states, is set to discuss a proposal that would involve suspending EU funding for Israeli start-ups as an initial response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
However, the bloc has yet to secure the required majority support to enforce this measure or to pursue more comprehensive actions against Israel.
The European Union's inability to act collectively stems from internal divisions between nations that support Israel and those that side with the Palestinians.
These schisms have often left the EU unable to respond effectively to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Countries advocating for stricter measures against Israel have faced resistance, hindering the bloc's efforts to reach a consensus.
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, emphasized the need for the EU to convert its words into action.
He highlighted Denmark's support for suspending trade cooperation with Israel, sanctioning right-wing Israeli ministers, and banning imports from settlements deemed unlawful by the international community.
Israel is under mounting pressure domestically and internationally to cease its military campaign in Gaza, where a significant portion of the population has been displaced, leading the United Nations to declare a state of famine.
The conflict in Gaza began following Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,219 people, mostly civilians.
In response, Israel's retaliatory strikes have led to the loss of at least 63,025 Palestinian lives, predominantly civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza that are considered reliable by the United Nations.
