EU nations divided on sanctioning Israel for Gaza war as FMs meet

In the midst of Israeli death, destruction, and man-made starvation, a tussle between a divided European Union foreign ministers is raging over what to do in response to the bloc’s humanitarian aid chief’s recommendation to “find a strong voice that reflects our values and principles” in the besieged enclave.

At a meeting on Saturday in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, ministers from the EU’s 27 member nations gathered to discuss the war.

Additionally, they will discuss a proposal to impose a first-class punitive measure on Israeli start-ups by suspending EU funding. The bloc has so far failed to elicit the support needed to take that step, let alone to advance with more coercive measures against Israel.

There are divisions between member states, such as Spain and Ireland, who want to put a lot of pressure on Israel to put an end to its repressing attacks on Palestinians, and its strong allies, such as Germany and Hungary, who want nothing or nothing at all.

Prior to the meeting, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares claimed that the EU is “doing nothing” and “too little too late” when it comes to the situation in Gaza. During the Copenhagen meetings, he claimed he wanted to put more pressure on Israel.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated on Saturday: “We are witnessing the most catastrophic humanitarian catastrophe. Israel must alter its course. We must discover a common ground. By requiring words to be transformed into sanctions, I’m not disclosing a secret. Denmark is prepared to impose sanctions on the government of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some members of his administration by suspending the trade chapter of the association agreement.

Before the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated to reporters: “We are definitely not going to take decisions today.

It “ascertains that we are divided,” it says.

Numerous EU governments have harshly criticized Israel’s actions during the conflict, particularly given the restrictions on humanitarian aid and the deaths of civilians.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IFSPC), a global hunger monitor that collaborates with the United Nations and other major aid organizations, announced last week that it had found that Gaza was in trouble, a finding that Israel rejected despite overwhelming evidence.

However, the EU members have differed on a common response, with some calling for economic sanctions against Israel and others urging the continuation of dialogue.

After the United States announced it would refuse visas to members of the Palestinian Authority, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said there should be no restrictions on access to the UN General Assembly the following month.

According to Barbor, “A UN General Assembly meeting should not be subject to any restrictions on access.”

Israel’s access to an EU research-funding program was proposed last month by the EU’s executive body, but it has so far failed to receive enough support from member nations.

According to diplomats, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland have all expressed support for the proposal, but others, like Germany and Ital, have not so far, according to diplomats.

“Urban mood on European streets”

Hashem Ahelbarra, a journalist in Copenhagen, reported on how the EU members are having a difficult time dealing with Gaza and Israel’s issue of imposing sanctions.

He continued, “The issue is that there is a change of mood on the streets of Europe,” noting that the pressure is getting worse on European politicians.

More and more people in Europe claim that the EU has broken its commitments to protecting human rights and humanitarian law.

The EU’s humanitarian assistance division’s commissioner for crisis management, Hadja Lahbib, said it was “time for the EU to find a collective voice on Gaza.”

She made it clear she wanted to put more pressure on Israel when she spoke to reporters in Brussels this week, but she declined to specify what action she felt was needed.

She said of Gaza, “What is happening there is haunting me and should haunt all of us.” because it’s tragic. And history will determine our fate.

Ukraine is also on the agenda.

The EU’s foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the Ukraine war and the future of some 210 billion euros ($245.85 billion) of Russian assets that have been frozen in the EU as a result of Moscow’s sanctions.

Ukraine and a number of EU nations, including Poland and the Baltic States, have demanded that Kyiv’s assets be used for its support.