Will EU sanction Israel over annexation plans?

May 12, 2020

The European Commission considers imposing sanctions on Israel if Jerusalem decides to advance its annexation plan this summer. Foreign ministers of the European Union are expected to discuss the issue at their next monthly meeting on May 15, one day after the swearing-in of Israel’s new government. According to the unity agreement between the Likud and Blue and White parties, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could present a plan for annexing parts of the West Bank as early as July 1.

The issue has not been declared yet on the foreign ministers’ agenda, but this has often been the case with discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to reports, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is pushing for sanctions, alongside France, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg, but there are other member states opposing such a move.

Speaking at the daily press briefing May 11, EU spokesman Peter Stano refused to go into details, reiterating former statements that “annexation is contrary to international law and if annexation goes ahead, the EU will act accordingly.”

James Cleverly, British junior Foreign Office minister, said yesterday that the United Kingdom would not support an Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank, as such a move would turn the two-state solution with the Palestinians almost unfeasible.

On April 30, a group of 11 European ambassadors in Israel expressed their countries’ objections to any annexation plans.