European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to push for sanctions against “extremist” Israeli ministers and to reduce trade ties with Israel because of the ongoing Gaza crisis. Speaking to the European Parliament, she expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation, describing images of people killed while begging for food and mothers holding lifeless babies as “catastrophic.”
The EU Commission, under von der Leyen’s leadership, will suspend its bilateral support to Israel, halting all payments except those directed to civil‑society groups and Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. The commission will also propose sanctions on “extremist ministers” and “violent settlers” whose actions and rhetoric incite violence. In addition, the EU will seek a partial suspension of its association agreement with Israel on trade‑related matters.
The Gaza conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has caused more than 64,000 Palestinian deaths—mostly civilians—and about 1,200 Israeli deaths, according to UN and Israeli figures. The United Nations has declared famine in parts of Gaza and warned that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” conditions.
Von der Leyen acknowledged that reaching consensus among the EU’s 27 member states will be difficult, but stressed the need for action. The proposed measures require approval from the member states, which remain deeply divided over how to respond to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The EU’s response is significant, reflecting growing international concern over the humanitarian situation. The next steps will depend on whether the member states endorse the sanctions and trade restrictions, as the world continues to call for an end to the violence and a resolution to the crisis.
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