Germany not ready to approve EU sanctions on Israel over Gaza war

Germany will not back European Union sanctions on Israel over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip for the time being, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Saturday.

The European Commission had proposed suspending research funding for Israeli companies after an internal EU review concluded that Israel’s actions in the embattled territory violate an EU-Israel agreement that obliges both sides to respect human rights.

The planned measure is unlikely to have any influence on Israel’s political decision-making and military actions in the Gaza Strip, Wadephul said on the margins of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen on Saturday.

That is why Germany is not convinced by the proposal, Wadephul said.

The minister emphasized that Germany is instead restricting arms deliveries to Israel. “I believe this is a very targeted measure that is very important and very necessary,” he said.

The EU has been divided over how to react to the war in Gaza and the deteriorating situation for civilians.