EU Commission proposes curbs on trade with Israel over Gaza war

Despite the forceful language, the measures appear unlikely to pass and have been condemned by Israel.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveEU proposes curbs on trade with Israel over Gaza war1 day agoShareSaveRachel Hagan andPaul AdamsDiplomatic correspondentShareSaveGetty ImagesThe European Commission has unveiled plans to restrict trade with Israel and impose sanctions on extremist ministers in its government, which - if adopted - would be the EU's toughest response to the war in Gaza.

The plans, trailed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week, would suspend trade-related provisions of the EU–Israel Association Agreement.

This would strip Israeli goods of privileged access to European markets, with tariffs imposed on billions of euros of exports - particularly agricultural produce like dates and citrus fruit.

But despite the forceful language, the measures appear unlikely to pass and have been dismissed by Israel as "morally and politically distorted".

Trade restrictions require approval by a qualified majority of member states, while sanctions on individuals demand unanimity.