European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed robust sanctions against Israel during her address on the State of the European Union.
Speaking in Strasbourg at the European Parliament on Wednesday, von der Leyen stated that developments in Gaza are “unacceptable” and called for increased European action. While acknowledging that several member states have already implemented independent measures, she expressed frustration over a blocked proposal to suspend certain aspects of the Horizon funding program. “We cannot afford to be paralyzed” she asserted.
To move forward, von der Leyen announced a forthcoming package of measures, indicating the Commission will pursue all actions within its authority. This includes the suspension of bilateral support for Israel, halting payments within specific areas while preserving engagement with Israeli civil society.
The Commission will also propose sanctions targeting extremist ministers and violent settlers to the Council. In addition, a partial suspension of the association agreement regarding trade matters is under consideration. Von der Leyen recognizes the complexity of securing a consensus, anticipating objections from both ends of the spectrum. She urged the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission to embrace their collective responsibility.
Looking ahead, von der Leyen announced the establishment of a donor group for Palestine next month, incorporating a specific instrument for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. She described this initiative as an international effort with regional partners, building on the momentum of the conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia in New York.