The EU was criticized for suspending sanctions against Israel

The EU has come under criticism for temporarily suspending sanctions against Israel, despite Donald Trump’s peace initiatives in the Middle East. The fragile truce between Israel and Hamas is once again under threat, reports Jennifer Rankin from The Guardian.

EU Decision

After a meeting with EU foreign ministers, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, announced the suspension of efforts to end preferential trade with Israel. Sanctions against those responsible for escalating the conflict were also postponed.

Kallas noted that since the proposal of these measures, the situation has changed. She emphasized the presence of “differences of opinion” among ministers, adding: “We are not taking these measures now, but we are not abandoning them either, as the situation is unstable.”

Criticism and Opinions

Some former senior EU officials expressed dissatisfaction with the decision. Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, who previously represented the EU in the Palestinian territories, noted that Kallas did not take into account the “essence” of legal responsibility.

“Sanctions are not just a measure to change the behavior of a third party. They are a tool for responding to violations of European and international law,” he added.

Europe’s Position

The Financial Times previously wrote that it would be beneficial for Europe to impose sanctions against Israel. Trade restrictions and freezing foreign reserves could demonstrate the EU’s independence from the US.

In this context, the EU’s decision raises questions about its ability to act decisively and independently on the international stage.