“We will propose sanctions on the extremist ministers and on violent settlers. And we will also propose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters.”
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed “a package of measures” against Israel over its ongoing genocidal assault on Gaza, including the sanctioning of extremist ministers and a partial suspension of its trade agreement.
In her annual State of the Union speech on Wednesday, von Der Leyen described the situation in Gaza as “unacceptable.”
“We will put our bilateral support to Israel on hold. We will propose sanctions on the extremist ministers and on violent settlers.”
Ursula Von der Leyen announces suspension of EU payments and trade partnership with Israel. pic.twitter.com/CreBVrG4pR
— euronews (@euronews) September 10, 2025
“What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food. Mothers holding lifeless babies.These images are simply catastrophic,” she stated.
Von der Leyen continued, “Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop.”
‘Package of Measures’
Acknowledging that Europe “needs to do more,” she said, “I will propose a package of measures to carve out a way forward.”
“First, the Commission will do all that it can on its own. We will put our bilateral support to Israel on hold. We will stop all payments in these areas – without affecting our work with Israeli civil society and Yad Vashem,” van der Leyen announced.
E1 Settlement Expansion: Why Europe’s Outrage over Israel’s Plan is Pure Theater
She said secondly, two further proposals to the Council.
“We will propose sanctions on the extremist ministers and on violent settlers. And we will also propose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters,” the EU president stated.
She said she was aware “it will be difficult to find majorities…But we must all take our own responsibilities – Parliament, Council and Commission.”
‘Friend of Israel’
In addition, von der Leyen announced that a Palestine Donor Group will be set up next month, “including a dedicated instrument for Gaza reconstruction.”
“This will be an international effort with regional partners,” she continued, that will build on the momentum of the New York Conference organised by France and Saudi Arabia.
While Gaza Bleeds amid Genocide, Europe Remains a Mute Spectator
“I am a long-standing friend of the people of Israel,” Von Der Leyen emphasized, adding “Europe’s goal has always been the same. Real security for Israel and a safe present and future for all Palestinians.”
She furthermore called for the Irsaeli captives to be released, “unrestrained access” for all humanitarian aid and an immediate ceasefire.
Von der Leyen’s announcement reportedly drew both applause and heckles from across the chamber.
‘Regrettable’ – Gideon Sa’ar
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideoen Sa’ar called von der Leyen’s statements “regrettable,” and claimed “some of them” were “tainted by echoing the false propaganda of Hamas and its partners.”
The President of the European Commission’s comments this morning are regrettable. Some of them are also tainted by echoing the false propaganda of Hamas and its partners.
Once again, Europe conveys the wrong message that strengthens Hamas and the radical axis in the Middle East.…— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) September 10, 2025
“The President of the Commission errs in yielding to the pressures of elements that seek to undermine Israel–Europe relations. This trend is contrary to the interests of the European states themselves. And mainly: this is not acceptable conduct between partners,” he stated.
Largest Trading Partner
The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, accounting for 32 percent of Israel’s total trade in goods with the world in 2024, according to its website. Total trade in goods between the EU and Israel in 2024 amounted to €42.6 billion.
The EU has been criticized for its refusal to suspend a trade agreement with Israel despite an internal review’s findings that Israel is violating human rights obligations under the terms of the Association Agreement.
Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized Europe’s response to Israel’s ongoing genocidal assault on Gaza as a “failure” that threatens to undermine its credibility.
“It is a failure,” he said in an interview with the Guardian. “Absolutely. It is also the reality that, within the European Union (EU), there are countries that are divided when it comes to how to influence Israel.
“At the end of the day, the world is looking at the EU and also at western society and asking: ‘Why are you doing double standards when it comes to Ukraine and when it comes to Gaza?’” Sanchez stated.
Criticism
Last month, former EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said there can be “little doubt” that the Israeli government “is committing genocide in Gaza” and that those who do not act to stop it “are complicit,” including the EU.
In an op-ed for the Guardian, Borrell wrote that “Those who do not act to stop this genocide and these violations of international law, even though they have the power to do so, are complicit in them.”
EU Leaders ‘Complicit’ in Gaza Genocide, Says Josep Borrell – Urges Israel Sanctions
He added, “This is unfortunately the case with the leaders of the European Union and those of its member states, who refuse to sanction Israel even though the EU has a legal obligation to do so.”
(The Palestine Chronicle)
Bullsh!t.
“Israeli civil society and Yad Vashem” — obviously, the EU empress knows that “Israeli civil society” are at least 80% are “for” the satanic Gaza Genocide, and doesn’t care. And will pour more Euros to the Yad Vashem remembrance of Jews killed by Nazi extermination camps – but forget about the 2 years of satanic Gaza Genocide, simultaneously. Any way, she knows the EU is incapable because of “difficult to find majorities” sanctioning of extremist ministers but ignore about the 1000’s of extremist “Israelis”. Bullshit, indeed!