Copenhagen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that his country is ready to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and advocate for suspending the trade chapter in the European Union’s association deal with Israel.
Ministers from all 27 EU member states convened in Copenhagen on Saturday to discuss the war. They also considered a proposal to halt EU funding to Israeli start-ups as an initial punitive measure.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated before an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen on Saturday that Denmark believes action is needed to encourage Israel to curb its violence in Gaza.
Host Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Saturday:
“We are witnessing the most catastrophic humanitarian catastrophe. Israel must change its course. We should find common ground. I am not revealing a secret by saying we must change words into sanctions. Denmark is ready to suspend the trade chapter in the association agreement and put sanctions on the [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu government and some ministers in his government.”
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that the EU is doing “too little too late” and “doing nothing … hadn’t achieved anything” when it came to the situation in Gaza. He said he wanted to raise pressure on Israel during the discussions in Copenhagen.
Which EU states support suspending Israel’s trade agreement?
Many EU governments have strongly condemned Israel’s actions during the war, especially regarding civilian casualties and limitations on humanitarian aid supplies.
The outcry grew louder after a global hunger monitor, collaborating with the United Nations and major aid organisations, announced last week that there was famine in Gaza— a conclusion Israel rejected.
Last month, the European Commission proposed limiting Israeli participation in an EU research funding program, but the proposal has yet to gain enough support from member states to be approved.
Countries like France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland have expressed support for the proposal. However, others like Germany and Italy have not yet backed it, according to diplomats.
Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner responsible for crisis management and EU humanitarian aid, stated that
“it is time for the EU to find a unified voice on Gaza.”
Speaking to reporters in Brussels this week, she did not specify which action she believed was necessary but emphasised her desire for increased pressure on Israel.
“What is happening there is haunting me and should haunt all of us,”
She said of Gaza.
“Because this is a tragedy. And we will be judged by history.”
