Sweden and the Netherlands are urging the European Union to introduce sanctions against Israel and the Palestinian militant movement Hamas for the war in the Gaza Strip. They also call on the suspension of part of the Association Agreement with Israel. This stems from a document to which AFP inspected on Thursday, TASR reports.
Countries ask for a suspension of the business part of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel
In a letter addressed to EU diplomacy chief Kaji Kallas, Foreign Ministers of Sweden and the Netherlands called for sanctions on Israeli ministers and Jewish settlers in the Israel -occupied West Bank and new sanctions on Hamas political leaders.
In addition, they asked for a suspension of the business part of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel, which allows free trade in several sectors, especially in industry and agriculture.
According to AFP, this topic should be discussed on Saturday in Copenhagen by EU Member States.
Swedish Foreign Minister has been calling for sanctions against right -wing ministers of Israeli government since May
A letter dated on August 27 “reminds the need to quickly … to introduce targeted sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers who promote illegal settlement activities and actively work against a two -state solution and the need for additional sanctions against violent settlers.”
AFP recalls that the Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Sitegard has been calling for sanctions against right -wing ministers of the Israeli government who are pushing on the annexation of the occupied West Bank of Jordan.
For the Swedish Radio (SR) on Thursday, she said that the aim should be to create a “difficulty” for ministers who lead a campaign to expand the Jewish settlements in the occupied area.
Israel continues to attack the Gaza Strip
The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned last Friday after the government failed to agree to impose sanctions against Israel. He was replaced by Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
In their letter, Stekegard and Brekelmans asked the European Outdoor Service (EEAS) to “submit further proposals to increase pressure on Hamas”.
Israel continues to attack the Gaza Strip and the Cabinet also approved the takeover of control of the city of Gaza, in which last Friday’s integrated classification of food security phases (IPC) supported by the United Nations (UN) officially declared the state of famine.
