STRASBOURG: EU lawmakers on Thursday called for sanctions on two “extremist” Israeli ministers and a reduction in trade ties over the war in Gaza, an action that backs a push by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In her annual address to the European Parliament, von der Leyen said she would propose these measures, though getting them approved will be difficult given the deep divisions among the EU’s 27 member states over Israel’s war. The European Parliament has voted on a non-binding resolution that “endorses the Commission president’s decision to suspend EU bilateral support to Israel, and to partially suspend the EU-Israel agreement as regards trade.” The resolution also “calls for sanctions” on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The EU has faced increasing criticism for not taking stronger action on the situation in Gaza.
‘Stop Killing Journalists’
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) on Thursday condemned Israel for continuing to deny independent access to foreign journalists nearly two years into the war in Gaza. “Israel must stop killing journalists in Gaza and give the foreign press free and independent access to the territory,” the FPA said.
The association pointed out that Israel’s supreme court has repeatedly postponed hearings on its petition demanding access to Gaza. The FPA also condemned Israel for targeting Palestinian journalists, noting that at least 200 of them have been killed by Israeli fire. The association criticized Israeli leaders and the military for going to “extreme lengths to discredit the work of our Palestinian colleagues.”
