EU considers import sanctions, halting political dialogue with Israel

The European Union is set to deliberate on imposing sanctions against Israel, including a ban on imports from illegal settlements and a suspension of political dialogue, according to the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

Borrell outlined these proposals in response to numerous violations of international law by Israel in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, stating that the EU has previously taken similar actions in cases involving other nations but has yet to hold Israel accountable.

“This has to change,” Borrell said, emphasizing the need for parity in the EU’s approach to international law. He cited a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ)as a basis for banning imports from Israeli settlements, likening the measure to existing sanctions on products from occupied Ukrainian territories.

He wrote on X: “After a year of unheeded pleas about the situation in Gaza, we cannot continue with business as usual. I have proposed to EU Member States to ban import of products from illegal settlements and to suspend the political dialog with Israel.”

The proposal also includes suspending political dialogue with Israel, reflecting growing frustration within the EU over Israel’s actions in the region.

The measures, if approved, would mark a significant shift in the EU’s relationship with Israel and signal its commitment to enforcing international law even-handedly.