EU Commission announces suspension of bilateral support to Israel
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will suspend bilateral support to Israel and propose sanctions on extremist ministers, as well as partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Speaking at the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg during her annual State of the Union address, von der Leyen addressed the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the global moral shock caused by the humanitarian crisis.
“People are being killed while begging for food, mothers clutching lifeless infants. These images are a catastrophe. Let me begin with a very clear message: Man-made famine can never be used as a weapon of war. This must stop—for the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity,” she said.
Von der Leyen also highlighted Israel’s financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority, the so-called E1 settlement plans that would easily separate the West Bank from East Jerusalem, and the provocative actions and statements of Israel’s most extreme ministers. She described these developments as “a clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution.”
Noting that several EU member states have already imposed measures and sanctions individually, von der Leyen said the Commission’s attempt to partially suspend Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe program failed due to lack of majority support among member states.
“We cannot afford paralysis. Therefore, I will propose a package of measures to chart a path forward. First, the Commission will do everything it can on its own. We will suspend bilateral support to Israel. We will propose sanctions against extremist ministers and violent settlers. Additionally, we will propose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement in trade-related matters,” von der Leyen stated.
She also announced plans to establish a Palestine donor group next month, including a special mechanism for Gaza reconstruction. This initiative will involve regional partners and international coordination, building on the momentum of the New York conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia.
Von der Leyen Under Fire
Von der Leyen has faced heavy criticism for her unconditional support for Israel since October 7, 2023. Her reluctance to change EU policy despite the genocide in Gaza has drawn backlash from both European public opinion and some member states. Critics argue that her stance undermines the EU’s claims of neutrality and commitment to international law.
