On Wednesday 17 September, the ambassadors of the Member States to the EU discussed the measures presented earlier in the day by the European Commission against the Israeli government (see EUROPE 13711/1).
A large number of delegations reportedly welcomed the proposals and stressed the need to move forward quickly. Some delegations expressed clear reservations, notably Hungary. Bulgaria, Greece and Slovakia are also said to be sceptical about the suspension of the trade part of the Association Agreement. On Thursday, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, publicly voiced his opposition. “Greece will announce its position to the EU Council, but I am certain that such a decision is not in the interests of Europe or Greece”, he explained on ANT1.
Germany, whose Secretary of State Gunther Krichbaum spoke out on Tuesday against the suspension of the trade section of the Association Agreement (see EUROPE 13710/17), has reportedly not expressed any views. Italy also has not voiced its position on the proposal.
While some Member States are said to have questioned the qualified majority required to adopt the suspension of part of the trade agreement, rather than unanimity, the legal services have confirmed that the decision will have to be taken by qualified majority. Targeted sanctions against ministers, settlers and members of Hamas will have to be adopted unanimously.
The EU Council working group (the ‘Mashreq/Maghreb’ group – MAMA), which met on 18 September, has been tasked with examining the proposal rapidly to enable the ambassadors to return to the subject as soon as possible. This could happen as early as next week.
Support from the President of the European Council. On Wednesday, the President of the European Council, António Costa, welcomed the European Commission’s proposals, adding that it was now up to the Member States to decide.
“These measures are not aimed at the Israeli people. They are intended to demonstrate that Europe cannot accept the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, which go well beyond Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence”, he said.
Ms Kallas opposed to boycotting Eurovision. On Wednesday, the High Representative of the Union, Kaja Kallas, voiced her opposition to the boycott announced by several Member States of the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in mid-May 2026, if Israel takes part.
“All these measures aimed at punishing the Israeli people are, in my opinion, wrong”, she explained, pointing out that the measures proposed by the European Commission were not intended “to punish Israel or the Israeli people”.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and also Iceland are threatening not to take part, while Belgium is considering what position to adopt. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)