EU propose tariffs, sanctions on Israel

The EU proposed tariffs on €5.8 billion of Israeli goods and sanctions on two ministers, citing Gaza rights abuses.

Transcript

00:00The European Union is prepared to downgrade trade relations with Israel

00:04and sanction senior officials over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza.

00:09EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaya Kalas announces the plans on Wednesday,

00:14marking a major shift in the bloc's stance towards Israel.

00:17The plan includes tariffs on nearly €6 billion worth of Israeli imports

00:22and sanctions on two key ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government,

00:27National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalil Smotrich.

00:33Kaya also proposed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and 10 senior Hamas members.

00:40The move also includes a suspension of €20 million in direct EU support for several Israeli projects.

00:47Kaya said that the aim was not to punish Israel but to push for better humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

00:54Though the measure does not currently have sufficient support among the EU's member countries to pass,

01:00if approved, it would be among the bloc's strongest actions yet amid the ongoing conflict.