EU divisions hinder possible sanctions against Israel over Gaza crisis
European Union foreign ministers met in Copenhagen on Saturday amid growing concerns over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, but little progress was made on the possibility of sanctioning Israel. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas admitted she was “not very optimistic” about reaching a consensus, stressing that the divisions among the 27 member states send “a troubling signal of disunity.”
The European Commission had suggested suspending funding to Israeli start-ups as a symbolic measure, yet even this proposal failed to gain sufficient support. Countries such as Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia remain reluctant to take action against Israel, while others, including Ireland and Spain, strongly favor a tougher stance.
Denmark, which currently chairs the EU Council of Foreign Ministers, has advocated for bypassing the unanimity rule that blocks decisions on foreign policy. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen urged the bloc to “move from words to action,” suggesting a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank — a decision that could be adopted by qualified majority under EU trade rules.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the situation in Gaza as an “absolute tragedy.” The World Food Programme has warned that the enclave, where famine is spreading, has reached a “breaking point.”
Despite mounting international and domestic pressure, the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has reaffirmed its intention to continue the military offensive against Hamas and secure the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.
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