The European Commission plans tariffs and sanctions against Israeli goods and government officials

According to the Politico portal, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the European Commission proposed suspending the free trade agreement with Israel and imposing tariffs on Israeli goods worth around €5.8 billion in response to the war in the Gaza Strip.

Sanctions were also proposed against two radical ministers in the Israeli government—Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich—as well as against violent settlers and members of Hamas.
EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas emphasized that the aim was not to punish Israel, but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

According to Politico, the proposed measures represent a profound break in trade relations between the EU and Israel and require the approval of member states, some of which reject the original proposals. Israel responded immediately, criticizing them as strengthening terrorist organizations.

The European measures could affect about 37 percent of Israeli exports to the EU, while trade in services and financial transactions would remain unaffected.

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