In October 2023, Israel initiated an offensive on Gaza following an attack by Hamas militants on Israeli soil that resulted in over 1,000 deaths. Since the onset of the war between Israel and Hamas, nearly 60,000 deaths have been reported in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
German leverage
The EU has faced challenges in exerting influence since the conflict’s inception. However, if Germany opts for more decisive actions, it could pave the way for the EU’s most robust measures against Israel. German leader Merz has already condemned Israel’s actions strongly, which is atypical for a German official. He is now under pressure to align his actions with his rhetoric, a call echoed by his coalition partner, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). This week, two senior SPD lawmakers urged Merz’s government to halt weapon exports to Israel and align with European initiatives to suspend the EU’s association pact with Israel.
During a Brussels meeting on Wednesday, EU ambassadors discussed the situation in Gaza. Four countries, including Germany and Italy, reaffirmed their stance against using the association agreement to take action. This formed a “blocking minority,” capable of thwarting any penal measures from passing a vote among EU representatives in Brussels.
About ten countries, such as Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and Luxembourg, advocated for at least a partial suspension of the agreement with Israel at Wednesday’s meeting, as reported by an EU diplomat who requested anonymity to speak openly.
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