Trade restrictions require approval by a qualified majority of member states, while sanctions on individuals demand unanimity.
Because of the objection of key members, including Germany and Italy, and Ireland and Spain calling for far tougher action, adoption looks unlikely.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the challenge in the European Council, telling reporters: “Political lines are very much in the place where they have been so far.”
She said the package also targeted “Hamas terrorists”, unnamed “extremist ministers” in the Israeli government and “violent settlers and entities supporting the impunity going on in the West Bank”.
The EU is Israel’s number one trading partner, accounting for 32% of its trade in goods in 2024, worth €42.6bn (£35.8bn). Yet the economic impact of ending tariff preferences would be limited. Trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič estimated the effect at just €227m a year.
The only measure that takes immediate effect is the suspension of bilateral support to the Israeli government. But this too is largely symbolic with a mere €9.4m out of €14m allocated for 2020–24 – and does not require approval from member states.
Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica stressed that funding for programmes tackling antisemitism and supporting civil society would not be affected.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the Commission’s proposals as “morally and politically distorted”, warning on X that actions against Israel would damage Europe’s own interests and vowing that any steps taken against his country would be answered “in kind.”
It’s not immediately clear when the measures will be voted on by members.