Germany opposes EU efforts to impose sanctions on Israel

Diplomats reported that Germany and several other European countries are blocking a proposal to impose sanctions on Israel for its role in the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The German news agency quoted the diplomats as saying that during talks between the permanent representatives of the European Union countries in Brussels, no agreement was reached on launching the formal decision-making process, as countries, including Germany, demanded more analysis and time to assess the situation on the ground.

Some delegations expressed concerns that sanctions would undermine essential dialogue with the Israeli authorities.

According to EU rules, any proposal must be supported by at least 15 out of 27 countries, representing 65% of the EU’s population, in order to move forward.

Germany and Italy are pivotal players in this context, while all other major European countries and a number of smaller ones have expressed openness to the idea of imposing sanctions.

Diplomats said many delegations expressed support for the proposal as a means of increasing pressure on Israel and helping improve conditions on the ground in Gaza.

Two days ago, the European Commission recommended a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the European research program “Horizon Europe,” citing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Gaza.

The recommendation was based on the deaths of thousands of civilians and a sharp rise in malnutrition rates, especially among children.

This coincided with the German government’s call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to change its approach to the Middle East conflict.

During Germany’s speech to the United Nations in New York, State Secretary at the German Foreign Ministry, Florian Hahn, stressed that current Israeli policy is “heading in the opposite direction”.

He considered the Netanyahu government’s policy completely wrong and doesn’t serve Israel’s long-term security interests.

Hahn emphasized that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable, calling for the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to be granted access to the area.

He stressed the need for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that Germany will always remain unwaveringly committed to supporting Israel and its people.

Hahn added that Israel must enter into negotiations with the Palestinian Authority to reach a solution based on two sovereign states living side by side.

Hahn emphasized that his country’s recognition of a Palestinian state, as France did, isn’t an option for Berlin before negotiations on a two-state solution are held.

He said, “We, as Germany, have stated that we will recognize a Palestinian state at the end of such negotiations, and this remains our position”.

In a related context, international organizations have criticized the airdrop of aid over the Gaza Strip, in which Germany intends to participate, on the grounds that it does not meet Gaza’s current needs.

Riyad Othman, a Middle East expert at Medico International, added that humanitarian aid must be provided rationally and appropriately to the needs in Gaza.

He said that the Gaza Strip needs 600 aid trucks daily, so the aid is delivered not via an airlift, but rather by land.

He added, “The airlift won’t be able to meet this need, even if an entire fleet of aircraft were available for this purpose”.

Osman pointed out that airborne aid is inaccurate, expensive, and slow, warning that it could pose a threat to the lives of residents in a densely populated area like Gaza.

“People have been killed by containers falling on them, or have drowned while trying to collect aid from the Mediterranean,” he said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that his country, along with Jordan, would establish a humanitarian air bridge to the Gaza Strip to help its residents.

He added that his country would also work in close coordination with France and Britain, which are also prepared to establish a similar air bridge to deliver food and medical supplies.