Brussels proposes imposing tariffs on Israel and suspending funds, not breaking trade

The European Commission has on Wednesday called for the withdrawal of certain provisions of the EU-israeli Association Agreement, which in practice will result in the imposition of tariffs and the suspension of funds, but will not break trade relations, although its adoption requires a qualified majority of the 27.

This is the main pillar of the package of measures proposed by the EU Executive in retaliation for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which Commission President Ursula von der Leyen herself described as' unacceptable '.

At a press conference held by the College of Commissioners to announce that it will support the proposal that will now be forwarded to the 27, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Aja Kallas, has stated that 'the Israeli Government's offensive against the Gaza Strip implies an intensification of the war and further deepening of the humanitarian crisis'.

However, the head of European diplomacy wanted to make it clear that 'the aim is not to punish Israel, but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza'.