The European Union is discussing Friday the imposition of sanctions on Israel over the annexation

The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported today, Tuesday, that the European Union foreign ministers will meet on Friday, to discuss imposing sanctions on Israel, if any step is taken to unilaterally annex Palestinian lands.

According to the newspaper, the meeting will be held in Brussels just one day after the government of Benjamin Netanyahu-Benny Gantz was sworn in.

The newspaper pointed out that the ministers will discuss a series of possible responses to serve as sanctions against Israel in case the new Israeli government takes this step.

According to the newspaper, European Union Foreign Minister Joseph Burrell tends to wait and see what the new government will do, while several member states in recent weeks have been pushing for approval of punitive measures of deterrence, including denying Israel accession to the Trade and Special Grant Agreement, and preventing it from Cooperation in various fields.

Informed sources told Haaretz that there is great support among UN member states to impose sanctions that will discourage Israel from annexation, noting that the countries of France, Spain, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg are leading a more solid line on this issue.

According to the sources, there are steps that will not necessarily require the unanimous approval of all countries of the European Union, and therefore Israel will not be able to rely on the veto of its friends inside the union such as Hungary and the Czech Republic.

According to the sources, the member states will take measures without harming the relationship in full and in the long term with Israel, and there are countries that will work according to the "carrot and stick" policy, by opening channels of dialogue with the new government on the one hand, and on the one hand to convey clear messages about the serious damage that will be suffered It has relations in the event that the annexation process is carried out unilaterally.

A number of European officials recently expressed their opposition to any Israeli move in this framework, and that this step will not pass without a response.

A number of European capitals have recently discussed the possible response to such a move, including summoning their ambassadors to consult, supporting measures taking place against Israel in the International Criminal Court, increasing boycotts of settlements in various ways, as well as increasing Palestinian support.

The new coalition government agreement in Israel stipulates that Netanyahu can reach an agreement with the United States regarding the annexation of West Bank lands, with the approval of the government and the Knesset as of July 1.

 

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