ISTANBUL, Sept 10 (Bernama-Anadolu) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced that she will propose a package of measures against Israel, by pausing bilateral support, partially suspending the Association Agreement and sanctioning extremist ministers, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
“I will propose a package of measures to carve out a way forward. First, the Commission will do all that it can do on its own. We will put our bilateral support to Israel on hold. We will stop all payments in these areas without affecting our work with Israeli civil society,” von der Leyen announced during her State of the Union speech.
She also vowed to propose sanctions on the extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers while also proposing a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters.
“We will set up a Palestine donor group next month, including a dedicated instrument for Gaza reconstruction. This will be an international effort with regional partners, and it will build on the momentum of the New York conference organised by France and Saudi Arabia,” von der Leyen added.
She further called for the release of hostages, unrestrained access to all humanitarian aid, and an immediate ceasefire, stressing that in the long term, the only realistic path to peace is a two-state solution with both sides living side by side in security.
“What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food, mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic … Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war, for the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity, this must stop,” von der Leyen said.
— BERNAMA-ANADOLU