Middle East conflict: Location in Gaza: EU builds a threatening setting against Israel

In the event of the failure of the new auxiliary agreements for the Gaza Strip, the EU builds up a threatening setting against Israel. As diplomats by the German Press Agency in Brussels confirm, EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas let the Member States send a catalog with measures with which the Israeli government could theoretically be put under pressure. It includes, for example, the exposure of trading advantages, an arms embargo and the blockade of Israel’s access to the EU research promotion program Horizon.

In addition, entry requirements for Israeli citizens could be tightened and sanctions against politicians who have a responsibility for the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The air traffic agreement between the EU and Israel is also mentioned as a possible means of pressure. This has opened the market for direct flights between Israel and the EU.

Violation of the principle of respect for human rights

Kallas had received the order for the creation of the catalog with possible measures in June at an EU foreign ministerial meeting. Before that, EU auditors had come to the conclusion that Israel violated the principle of respect for human rights with his approach in the Gaza Strip. This has been determined in an association agreement between the two sides as a prerequisite for close cooperation.

Specifically, Israel is primarily accused of having granted any deliveries of relief goods in the Gaza Strip in the past few months. Israel justified this by the fact that Islamist Hamas benefits from deliveries.

At the top political level, the action options will now be discussed next Tuesday at a Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. In view of the latest developments, however, it is very unlikely that decisions will be made.

Does deal with Israel improves the situation?

On Thursday, Israel confirmed that he has accepted an agreement for better care for the needy civilian population in the sealed -up Gaza Strip. According to EU, it provides for a significant increase in the number of daily grocery deliveries and other relief supplies via trucks.

Specifically, more border crossings to the coastal area should also open and the Jordan and Egyptian auxiliary routes can be used again. According to EU information, the measures will take effect in the coming days. It should also be ensured that no help is redirected to Hamas.

It is currently unclear whether, and if so, which measures could be taken in the event of a failure of the auxiliary agreement. It also plays a role in the fact that some measures require a unanimous approval of all Member States and countries like Germany are extremely critical of sanctions against Israel. For example, trade measures could probably also be arranged by majority decision.