Renew Europe welcomed the European Commission's proposal for economic sanctions against Israel as a necessary first step towards ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. This development follows the European Parliament resolution passed on 11 September, which Renew Europe initiated, explicitly calling on the EU to adopt a comprehensive series of sanctions against the current Government of Israel. This is a direct response to the catastrophic choices and extremism the Government of Israel has chosen to pursue.
The proposed partial suspension of the core trade-related component of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and re-imposition of customs duties on a series of goods, abolished by the 1995 Association Agreement represents progress in addressing the ongoing humanitarian tragedy.
Renew Europe also welcomes the proposed sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and settlers, as well as the reinforced package against 10 Hamas members, based on a new listing criterion under the Hamas Sanctions Regime.
However, Renew Europe emphasises that these measures, while significant, fall short of what is required to effectively respond to the gravity of the situation.
Hilde Vautmans MEP (Open VLD, BE), Renew Europe coordinator for foreign affairs stated: “I can only welcome the Commission’s proposal and urge all EU Member States to support it by immediately reintroducing tariffs on Israeli goods and by approving the proposed sanctions against terrorist organisation Hamas, and against Israeli ministers and settlers. Yet, as Parliament underlined in its resolution last week, much more will be needed. Economic sanctions alone are not enough. We must ensure that humanitarian aid reaches every person in need, that all parties involved respect international law and that we begin the path toward a two-state solution by recognizing the State of Palestine—once all hostages have been released and with the clear condition that Hamas play no role in Gaza’s future.”
Renew Europe maintains that the current Government of Israel's non-compliance with its international obligations regarding international humanitarian law constitutes a clear violation of Article 2 of the Association Agreement. This article establishes respect for human rights and democratic principles as core elements of the EU-Israel partnership as recalled by the European Parliament resolution.
Renew Europe will continue to advocate for comprehensive measures that ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law and protect civilian populations.
Renew Europe calls on EU Member States to swiftly adopt this package of sanctions. Public opinion will not understand that a blocking minority prevents the adoption of these measures.
And foremost, Renew Europe urges the Government of Israel to change course and respect international law instead of repeatedly breaking it.