Brussels, MINA – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced a new package of measures against Israel, including pausing bilateral support, partially suspending the Association Agreement, and sanctioning extremist ministers and violent settlers.
“I will propose a package of measures to carve out a way forward. First, the Commission will do all that it can do 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,” von der Leyen said during her State of the Union speech, Anadolu Agency reported.
She emphasized that the EU will also propose sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers, while introducing a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters.
Von der Leyen further announced the creation of a Palestine donor group next month, including a dedicated instrument for Gaza’s reconstruction. The initiative will involve regional partners and build on the momentum of the recent New York conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia.
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Calling for the release of hostages, unimpeded humanitarian access, and an immediate ceasefire, von der Leyen stressed that the long-term solution remains a two-state framework where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security.
“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 … Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity, this must stop,” she declared. []
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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