Politico: The EU holds first discussions on sanctions against Israel
Irish Foreign Minister Michel Martin told reporters on Monday after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting that European foreign ministers had for the first time seriously discussed the application of sanctions against Israel in the event of non-compliance with international humanitarian law, according to Politico.
Martin pointed out that there is a clear agreement on the need to support international humanitarian legal institutions, stressing that the International Court of Justice issued a decision to stop military attacks on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, and to open the Rafah border crossing to bring in more humanitarian aid without hindrance.
Ahead of the meeting, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell stressed the need to implement the ICJ’s decision to halt attacks on Rafah.
Ireland, Spain and Norway also announced their recognition of a Palestinian state as of May 28.
In the same context, the European Union, two days before the recognition of two member states of a Palestinian state, tried to participate in the talks the day after of the Gaza war, by receiving a number of Arab officials in Brussels.
Speaking to Politico, the Irish foreign minister confirmed that she first saw an important discussion on sanctions at the EU meeting, with a focus on compliance with international judicial decisions.
Martin stressed the divergence of views within the Council between those who support the sanctions approach and those committed to implementing the decisions of the International Court, noting the concern of Member States about the situation in Rafah and the need for States to abide by international law and human rights.
One of the conclusions was the convening of a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council to discuss the situation in Rafah and demand compliance with the decisions of the International Court.
