Ireland Demands EU Sanctions on Israel Over Gaza Conflict
Ireland has reportedly urged other EU nations to impose sanctions on Israel over its military actions in Gaza, seeking to pressure the Israeli government to end the conflict. Irish Deputy Prime Minister and top diplomat Simon Harris is reaching out to EU foreign ministers to push for sanctions on Israel over the Gaza conflict, Irish public broadcaster RTE has reported. Harris is reportedly asking his EU counterparts, which are considering unilateral moves on trade measures, to co-sign a letter to the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urging a swift decision on sanctions, RTE wrote on Monday, citing a copy of the correspondence.
The letter reportedly stated that as Member States, they are ready to work with the EU to overcome current obstacles and ensure sufficient pressure is applied to the Israeli government to change its course and meet its obligations according to international law. The European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, previously called the situation in Gaza unacceptable and urged member states to step up and impose sanctions on Israel’s extremist ministers and violent settlers. Multiple EU members including Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands have called for the trade deal with Israel to be suspended, while others, led by Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, have opposed sanctioning Israel.
International pressure on Israel has been mounting over its military operation in Gaza, which has raged since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a series of raids on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 captives. The death toll among Palestinians has climbed to 64,905 as of Monday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Moscow has long maintained that a two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict. However, the situation remains highly polarized, with significant divisions within the EU on how to proceed. As tensions continue to escalate, the European Union faces the challenge of balancing diplomatic efforts with international law and human rights considerations.