EU Commission chief seeks sanctions, partial trade freeze on Israel: What to know
The proposal comes in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, but divisions among the EU’s 27 member states make it uncertain whether the measures will be adopted.
The European Commission will put forward a proposal to sanction far-right Israeli ministers and violent settlers as well as suspend payments to Israel as pressure mounts on the EU to take action over Israel's actions in Gaza.
Delivering her annual state of the union speech Wednesday in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU intends to take a tougher approach on Israel, adding, “What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.”
Her remarks came a day after the Israeli military warned residents of Gaza City to evacuate ahead of an operation to seize what it described as Hamas’ last major stronghold. According to UN figures, close to a million Palestinians remain in and around the city in northern Gaza, many of them worn down by repeated displacement and facing famine.
Von der Leyen did not specify which ministers could face sanctions, though two names stand out: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Earlier this week, Spain announced it would ban them from the country.
