The European Commission announced on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 a set of political and commercial sanctions against Israel, in response to recent operations in Gaza. But their implementation remains uncertain, because approval requires a large consensus among the Member States.
Among the planned measures are the increase in customs taxes on Israeli products and sanctions targeting two ministers of the Israeli government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, said: “The objective is not to punish Israel. It is a question of improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza ”. The customs tax alone could cost the Hebrew state 227 million euros.
Obstacles to adoption
To enter into force, these sanctions must be approved by a qualified majority for customs duties and unanimously for individual sanctions against ministers. However, some Member States such as Germany, Austria, Italy and Hungary have already blocked similar measures in the past. The support of countries like Spain, Slovenia or the Netherlands may not be enough to overcome these blockages.
In Tel Aviv, these announcements were welcomed with skepticism. The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Saar, said in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen: “Pressure by sanctions will not work”. On the European side, Kaja Kallas recognizes that the adoption of measures will be difficult despite the committee’s initiative.
