In her yesterday’s speech on the situation of the European Union, the president of the Commission, surprised many when, talking about Gaza, made it clear that the Commission would take as many measures passing through its jurisdiction, wanting to push Israel in the direction of its end.
This aversion was anything but expected, and as one could imagine Israel, he reacted immediately, describing a “bad message”
“(…) Once again Europe sends a bad message that reinforces Hamas” and its allies in the Middle East, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote in X.
It is recalled that in addition to sanctions on ministers, von der Layen said the Commission would also propose partial suspension of the EU-Israel connection agreement.
The Bavarian obstacle
But the biggest obstacle to the adoption of these measures seems to come from her home country, Mrs.
Specifically, the government partners of German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, the Bavarian Christian Socialists, say they reject the Commission’s chairman’s proposals for a stricter attitude towards Israel.
“Righting back to Israel cannot be an option for Germany,” said Alexander Hoffmann, leader of the Conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) in the Bundestag.
“I hope that the chairman of the committee will review its position and recall its statements,” he added.
The Bavarian Conservatives, who are part of the Conservative European People’s Party (EPP) from which Ursula von der Laienne comes have the power to influence the Mertz government and thus create a divisive division within the largest European party.
“Unilateral pressure on Israel does not bring peace closer,” Hoffmann said. “On the contrary, this is exactly what Hamas wants to succeed. You can criticize friends – yes, you must already – but you can’t impose sanctions on friends. “
The position of Chancellor Mertz
On the other hand, Chancellor Mertz did not rule out the support of von der Layen’s sanctions proposal, but he seems to have a standing attitude: “As for sanctions, I would first want to wait for the internal debate in the European Council, as well as the discussion in the coalition,” he said.
If there is no agreement within the coalition “we will be automatically away,” a German government official said on possible votes on Von der Leyen’s proposals to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and suspending parts of the connection agreement.
The Coalition in Berlin – which consists of Merz’s conservative alliance and the center -left Social Democratic Party (SPD) – seems to be dividing more and more on the subject. While CSU politicians are Israel’s most ardent supporters, SPD politicians are calling for a tougher approach. Merz’s CDU is currently located somewhere in the middle.
