European Commission is ready to impose restrictions on Israel, but there’s a catch - Kallas
Photo: Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Affairs Chief (Getty Images)
The European Commission is ready to suspend trade relations and freeze research cooperation with Israel. However, such measures are not supported by the authorities of some EU countries, states EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas, according to Politico.
"Our options for more action are clear and remain on the table, but member states disagree on how to get the Israeli government to change course. We cannot move as a Union until member states share the same view on what to do," Kallas said.
According to her, the bloc has already prepared a list of possible pressure measures on the Israeli government. These include proposals to suspend trade relations and halt Israel’s participation in the Horizon research and innovation fund. However, there is still no consensus among EU countries on what the next step should be.
"There have been some positive developments, 2,904 trucks have entered between the 10th of July and the 1st of September,” Kallas said, while "not a single truck entered (the) Gaza Strip from March to July."
"I believe we must continue diplomatic efforts with Israel because we cannot get anywhere if we do not talk," she added.
Israel’s operation against Hamas
As of now, Israeli forces are preparing to storm the city of Gaza.
Yesterday, September 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces had destroyed 50 terror towers in the Gaza Strip over two days.
He added that this is just the beginning of a large-scale ground operation planned by Israel.
