Europe Proposes Higher Tariffs on Israel, Sanctions Two Ministers
“The goal is not to punish Israel. The goal is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” said EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
Quick overview
- The European Commission proposed raising tariffs on certain Israeli imports and sanctioning two of Prime Minister Netanyahu's ministers to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
- If approved, the new trade measures could increase costs for targeted Israeli imports by approximately €227 million.
- The proposal aims to address the unsustainable situation in Gaza, as Israel intensifies its military offensive in the region.
- Unanimous support from all 27 EU member states is required for sanctions, while trade measures need only a qualified majority.
The European Commission on Wednesday proposed raising tariffs on certain Israeli imports—primarily agricultural products—and sanctioning two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right ministers.
“The goal is not to punish Israel. The goal is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels.
If adopted by the bloc’s 27 member states, the new trade measures would increase the cost of targeted Israeli imports by roughly €227 million ($269 million). Israel exported €15.9 billion worth of goods to the EU last year, making the bloc its largest trading partner. Under the proposal, around 37% of those imports would be affected.
The Commission also recommended sanctions against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Brussels had floated similar measures in August 2024, but failed to secure unanimous backing. Unanimity is required for sanctions to pass, while trade measures need only a qualified majority—though diplomats warn even that threshold could be difficult to reach.
“Every member state agrees the situation in Gaza is unsustainable. The war must end,” Kallas emphasized.
The EU proposal comes as Israel steps up its offensive in Gaza. On Tuesday, Israeli forces launched heavy air and ground strikes shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Jerusalem and reaffirmed Washington’s “full support” for Netanyahu. Witnesses described the assault as “intense and relentless,” destroying at least three homes and leaving residents trapped under rubble.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared Gaza was “in flames,” vowing that the Israel Defense Forces would continue striking Hamas until hostages are freed and the group is defeated.
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