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SOTEU: Israel support on hold

Posted by Europe correspondent on

Strasbourg 10.09.2025 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen turned away from with her initial pro-Israel stance and announced plans to impose sanctions and a partial trade suspension over the military campaign in Gaza.

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The 27-nation bloc is split over war in the Gaza and it’s unclear whether a majority will be united to endorse the sanctions, and trade measures. Von der Leyen added she plans to freeze support to Israel offered by the EU’s executive branch, which can be done independenly, without
the approval of all member countries.

The ongoing military operations in Gaza has prompted protests across Europe, and vivid criticism of Brussels’ bureaucracy over its perceived inability to meaningfully pressure Israel to halt military operations in the Strip.

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“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. So I want to start with a very clear message: Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war” Usula von der Leyen said.

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“For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop.
This is also part of a more systematic shift in the last months that is simply unacceptable.
We have seen the financial suffocation of the Palestinian Authority.
The plans for a settlement project in the so-called E1 area which would essentially cut off the occupied West Bank from East Jerusalem.

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“The actions and statements by the most extremist ministers of the Israeli government which incite violence. All of this points to a clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution.
To undermine the vision of a viable Palestinian state and we must not let that happen.
It truly pains me to say these words. And I know that for many citizens, Europe’s inability to agree on a common way forward is equally painful. They are asking how much worse things must get before there is unity of response.I understand. Because what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.
And because Europe must lead the way – just as it has done before. Our financial support and humanitarian aid far outweigh that of any other partner. Our commitment to a viable Palestinian Authority is keeping a two-state solution alive.

And we must urge others to urgently step up too – both in the region and beyond.
But, of course, Europe needs to do more. Many Member States have moved ahead on their own.
On our side, we proposed to suspend parts of our Horizon funding. But this is stuck without a majority. We must overcome this. We cannot afford to be paralysed. This is why I will propose a package of measures to carve out a way forward.

First, the Commission will do all that it can on its own.
We will put our bilateral support to Israel on hold. We will stop all payments in these areas – without affecting our work with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem.

Second, we will make two further proposals to the Council.
We will propose sanctions on the extremist ministers and on violent settlers. And we will also propose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters. I am aware it will be difficult to find majorities. And I know that any action will be too much for some.
Too little for others. But we must all take our own responsibilities – Parliament, Council and Commission.

Thirdly, we will set up a Palestine Donor Group next month – including a dedicated instrument for Gaza reconstruction. This will be an international effort with regional partners.
And it will build on the momentum of the New York Conference organised by France and Saudi Arabia.

“I am a long-standing friend of the people of Israel” von der Leyen continued.
“I know how much the atrocious attacks on 7 October by Hamas terrorists shook the nation to its core. The hostages have now been held captive by Hamas terrorists for more than 700 days since 7 October. That is 700 days of pain and suffering. There can never by any place for Hamas – neither now, nor in the future. Because they are terrorists who want to destroy Israel. And they are also inflicting terror on their own people. Keeping their future hostage.”

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