Minister Ruben Brekelmans Said on Saturday After An Informal Eu Summit That Is Still No Required Majority Among EU Countries to Take Measures Against Israel. The Wants To See If A Group of Countries is Willing To Take Action.
The Outgoing Minister of Defense, and Recently also of Foreign Affairs, Says He is Looking Into Whether A Vanguard Group of Countries Can be formed. Such A Group Could Take Action, As the Necessary Majority in the EU is Lacking.
As a Possible Step, Brekelmans is Considering an Import Ban From Illegal Settlements. Accordance to him, that is “less effective than if you do it joints the eu. But if you do that as a group of country, it also sends a message.”
It is not Yet Clear How Many Countries Will Participate in the Potentialy Formed Group. Brekelmans will discuss the next steps in the cabinet.
Prior to the Summit, Brekelmans, Together with his Swedish Counterpart, Stated in a Letter That Pressure on Israel Must Be Increased. In IT, They Propose Sanctions Against Violent Settlers in the West Bank.
The Two Ministers also Mentioned PreviOutly Propose Sanctions, Such As Suspending Israel’s Trade Benefits with the EU and Halting Israel’s Participation in the Horizon Research and Innovation Program. On Saturday, The Necessary Qualified Majority Did Not Appear for the Measures. However, The Countries Are Moving “A Little More Towards Each Other,” According to Brekelmans.
“When if not now?”
“If we don’t take action now, when we will?”, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris Wondeed Aloud. “What Else is needed? Children are staring,” he said about the situation in Gaza.
Many EU Countries Have Criticized Israel’s Actions in The Gaza Strip, Especially When It Comes to Civilian Casualties and the Obstruction of Humanitarian Aid. MoreOover, Israel Has Not Complied with Agreements with the EU Regarding the Admission of Aid. Neverberness, the EU Member States are unable to reach an Agreement on Meaningful Sanctions.
Countries Like Spain and Ireland Have Long Advocated Far-Reaching Measures. However, Countries Such as Germany, The Czech Republic and Hungary Are Against It.