US EditionEU Recommends Suspending Israel Free Trade Agreement
The European Commission aims to impose tariffs on €5.8 billion of Israeli imports and suspend €20 million in support to pressure for humanitarian aid access amid Gaza conflict.
- On September 17, 2025, the European Commission announced plans to partially halt the EU-Israel trade agreement and enforce sanctions targeting two high-ranking Israeli ministers, responding to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
- This move follows renewed Israeli ground assaults in Gaza, worsening conditions, and months of EU assessment amid growing public pressure and calls from governments like Ireland and Spain to act.
- The actions entail imposing tariffs on about €5.8 billion worth of goods imported from Israel, halting €20 million in EU-funded Israeli initiatives, and enacting focused sanctions against two senior Israeli officials: the National Security Minister and the Minister of Finance.
- Kaja Kallas stated the aim is “not to punish Israel” but to improve Gaza's situation as public opinion has shifted due to prolonged suffering; she acknowledged consensus challenges among member states.
- The proposal requires approval by member states through qualified majority voting, but opposition from countries like Germany and the Czech Republic could block it, leaving the outcome uncertain.
57 Articles
57 Articles
As Europe turns up the heat on Israel, Trump shrugs
President Donald Trump won’t be joining European allies in amping up pressure on Israel over its intensifying assault on Gaza. But he’s not going to make a big deal over the European efforts either, according to two people familiar with the president’s thinking who were granted anonymity to speak candidly. Trump, who is in the United Kingdom for a state visit this week, “doesn’t care much” about European efforts to isolate Israel’s government, o…
The plan includes sanctions against Netanyahu's ministers and the review of part of the free trade agreement; it faces divisions among the 27
The suspension would affect 37% of Israeli exports of goods to the European market... if the Twenty-seven give the green light. The Commission also proposes to punish extremist ministers and violent settlers and to freeze funds for bilateral cooperation ...
EU freezes funding for Israel following years of calls for action
The European Commission has frozen bilateral funding for Israel over its genocidal actions in Gaza, meaning the country will not receive around €32 million. Moreover, the EU has proposed a plan to curb trade ties with Israel as well as sanction top officials over human rights abuses against the Palestinian people.
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to suspend the free trade agreement with Israel, affecting approximately €5.8 billion.
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