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EU to impose sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers, violent settlers, pause payments

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 10 September 2025 11:00 AM

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the bloc is set to adopt a tougher stance on Israel, including imposing sanctions on "extremist ministers" and violent settlers, and suspending bilateral payments to the Tel Aviv regime over the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Delivering her State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen also stated that the Commission will propose a partial suspension of trade aspects of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food, mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic.

"I want to start with a very clear message: man-made famine can never be a weapon of war for the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity. This must stop," she said.

The high-profile EU diplomat also criticized what she characterized as the "financial suffocation" of the Palestinian Authority, and the Israeli regime's plans for a settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, which would cut it off from East al-Quds.

"All of this points to a clear attempt to undermine the [so-called] two-state solution, to undermine the vision of a viable Palestinian state," she said. "And we must not let this happen."

Von der Leyen acknowledged the anger among many Europeans at the inability of the EU to forge a more unified position on Gaza.

"They are asking, how much worse things must get before there is unity in response.

"I understand, because what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable, and because Europe must lead the way, just as it has done before," she said.

"We will put our bilateral support to Israel on hold," von der Leyen added.

The announcement that the EU will sanction key Israeli officials and settlers drew applause and jeers from across the chamber.

While many lawmakers, some of whom were wearing red in solidarity with Gaza, welcomed the announcement, some members, including from Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), shouted interruptions, prompting attendants and MEPs to tell them to be quiet.

The European Union is Israel's primary trading partner, representing 32 percent of its overall trade in 2024; therefore, any potential suspension would significantly impact the Israeli economy.

The European Union exports machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, and various other manufactured products to the Israeli-occupied territories, with the total value of exports reaching €26.7 billion in 2024.