AiBotThe European Union’s (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen has maintained that the ball is in the court of the EU’s Member States after the European Commission proposed suspending trade preferences under the EU-Israel Association Agreement ten months ago.
In a statement, von der Leyen reiterated that the proposal to suspend trade preferences remains on the table, pending a decision by the Member States. The decision will be made by qualified majority, meaning that it requires the support of at least 55% of Member States representing at least 65% of the EU’s total population. The proposal’s economic implications are significant, as Israel is the EU’s 13th largest trading partner.
Von der Leyen’s assertion comes as a response to ongoing tensions between the EU and Israel. Last month, the EU agreed on a set of sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers, which included the freezing of assets and travel bans. However, not all Member States support the sanctions, and some have even proposed extending them to include Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is widely seen as a far-right and extremist figure. Despite the proposal, no consensus has been reached among the Member States.
The EU’s decision to impose sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers follows a series of high-profile incidents, including the Israeli government’s actions in the Palestinian territories. The European Commission has made it clear that it will not hesitate to take further action if the situation does not improve.
Von der Leyen’s stance on the issue has been reinforced by the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, which last week called on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinians and adhere to international law. The Council also expressed concern over the increasing presence of extremist settlers, which they described as a major obstacle to peace.
As the Member States continue to debate the issue, von der Leyen remains firm in her stance. In a statement, she emphasized that the EU’s proposal to suspend trade preferences is a viable option that can be exercised at any time. The outcome of the decision will likely have significant implications for Israel’s economy and its relationship with the EU.
The fate of the proposal now rests with the Member States, who will have to decide whether to support the Commission’s proposal. The decision is expected to be made in the coming weeks, but it remains uncertain which way the Member States will decide. One thing is clear, however, the EU will continue to maintain pressure on Israel until significant progress is made on Palestinian rights and international law.