EU chief seeks sanctions on Israeli ministers, trade limits

 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will push for sanctions on “extremist-minded” Israeli ministers and for limits on trade ties with Israel, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“What is happening in Gaza has shocked the world. People are dying while begging for food. Mothers hold lifeless infants. These images are catastrophic... This must stop,” she told the European Parliament, according to AFP.

Von der Leyen also said EU financial support to Israel would be suspended due to its actions in Gaza and strikes on Qatar, German broadcaster Tagesschau reported. She stressed this would not affect engagement with Israeli civil society or institutions such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

Background: On Sept. 9 Israel called for a full evacuation of Gaza ahead of expanding its military operation and struck Doha, the Qatari capital, in what it said were attacks on Hamas figures. Qatar condemned the move as a violation of international law and vowed a response. The war in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, has drawn increasing criticism from European governments over civilian casualties.