The European Union has faced harsh criticism for not imposing sanctions on Israel in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and human rights violations in the West Bank. Organizations including Amnesty International have accused the EU of betraying Palestinians and European values by failing to endorse measures against Israel during a recent meeting in Brussels.
European diplomatic sources indicate that the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, did not support any of the proposed sanctions options developed in response to evidence that Israel may be in breach of its human rights obligations. These options reportedly included suspending the EU-Israel association agreement and other trade and cooperation deal sanctions, which require unanimous support from EU member states.
While news sources suggest that aid delivery has increased to about 80 trucks per day, distribution problems and ongoing violence have resulted in continued loss of life among Palestinians seeking food and water in Gaza. Amnesty International and others have expressed disappointment in the EU’s reluctance to take stronger action, with some labeling this stance a “cruel and unlawful betrayal.”
Readers interested in related articles may wish to learn about a recent aid distribution crush in Gaza where at least 20 people were killed.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/16/eu-cruel-unlawful-betrayal-palestinians-failure-sanctions-israel
