EU chief to push for sanctions on Israel Ministers, curb commerce ties over Gaza

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen stated on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) she would push to sanction “extremist” Israeli Ministers and curb commerce ties over Gaza, as she warned famine couldn’t be used as a “weapon of war”.

Addressing the European Parliament, Ms. von der Leyen lamented that divisions amongst member States have been holding again a European response and stated the European Commission she leads “will do all that it can on its own”.

“What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People are killed while begging for food. Mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic,” Ms. von der Leyen stated.

Also Read | France calls on EU to stress Israel to return to desk on Palestinian two-state answer

“For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity — this must stop.”

The German politician, 66, stated the fee would put its bilateral assist to Israel on maintain, stopping all funds, however with out affecting work with civil society teams and Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

The European Union’s government will even suggest sanctions on “extremist ministers” — whose actions and phrases “incite violence” — and “violent settlers”.

It will even push for a partial suspension of an affiliation settlement with Israel on trade-related issues.

But such measures will want approval by the bloc’s 27 member states, which have been deeply divided on how to reply to Israel actions in Gaza.

“I am aware it will be difficult to find majorities,” Ms. von der Leyen conceded.

“And I know that any action will be too much for some. Too little for others. But we must all take our own responsibilities”.

Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel sparked the practically two-year battle in Gaza and resulted within the deaths of 1,219 folks, principally civilians, in accordance with an AFP tally primarily based on Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at the least 64,605 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in accordance with figures from the well being ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers dependable.

The United Nations declared famine final month in components of Gaza, warning that 500,000 folks face “catastrophic” circumstances.