EU to propose options paper on Israel over Gaza next week
Now, the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS) is expected to present an options paper with possible measures to the bloc's ambassadors next Wednesday, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The options paper is expected to include a full or partial suspension of the agreement, sanctions on individuals such as Israeli government ministers, military personnel or Israeli extremist settlers, trade measures, an arms embargo, or a suspension of scientific cooperation between the two.
While most of those options have been floated in previous talks, this is the first time they are being formally laid out in writing.
EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the options paper at their 15 July meeting in Brussels – the last before the summer break.
The same day also serves as an informal deadline for Israel to demonstrate improvements in Gaza's humanitarian situation. Israel has slammed the EU review as "outrageous" and "full of methodological shortcomings."
'The first goal is to change behaviour on the ground (...). If the situation does not improve, then we can discuss further measures," the top EU's diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told reporters last month.
In recent weeks, an EU technical team led by the bloc's Middle East envoy, Christophe Bigot, has been sent to Israel to negotiate with the Israeli side, though officials remain sceptical about securing concrete commitments.
"We still hope that there can be some sort of deal with them," an EU official confirmed.
While Brussels has presented the review as a tool to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza, EU countries said last month they remain deeply divided on whether to follow through with actual sanctions.
EU leaders, wary of inflaming tensions, have so far avoided signalling any firm position, merely inviting foreign ministers to 'continue discussions on a follow-up' depending on developments on the ground in Gaza.
A full suspension of the association agreement – or even a partial freeze of its foreign policy provisions – would require unanimous approval from EU states, which remains very unlikely given opposition from key allies such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
The Commission, which is responsible for the bloc's trade policy, is also thought to oppose sweeping economic measures.
An arms embargo appears likewise remote, particularly as Germany, Israel's largest European arms supplier, is unlikely to sign off.
Nonetheless, targeted sanctions on individuals, such as those already imposed by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, are seen as the most politically feasible option, EU diplomats say.
(mm)
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