EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced sweeping measures against Israel over Gaza, sparking fiery backlash from Israeli ministers who accuse Europe of echoing Hamas propaganda and betraying democratic allies.
In a dramatic escalation of EU-Israel tensions, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday unveiled a battery of punitive steps against the Jewish state, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Man-made hunger cannot be used as a weapon of war. This must stop,” von der Leyen declared, warning that Europe “must do more” despite already being the largest donor of aid to Gaza.
Her proposed measures include:
- Suspending bilateral support to Israel (except civil society and Yad Vashem).
- Sanctions on “extreme ministers” and “violent settlers.”
- Partial suspension of Israel’s trade association agreement with the EU.
- Creation of a global donor group dedicated to Palestinian aid and Gaza reconstruction.
The announcement triggered fury in Jerusalem.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar blasted the Commission’s stance as “regrettable” and “tainted by Hamas propaganda.”
“Israel is the world’s only Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East, fighting for survival against genocidal enemies,” Sa’ar said. “Hurting Israel strengthens Hamas. The suffering in Gaza is entirely the work of Hamas—its refusal to release hostages and disarm prolongs this war.”
He accused von der Leyen of undermining Israel-Europe relations and warned that her actions only embolden extremists.
Communications Minister Dr. Shlomo Karhi went further, lashing out with biting sarcasm:
“Ursula doesn’t mind if a few more Yad Vashems are established. She only cares about protecting memorial sites, not preventing new ones. We will fight terrorism—and the propaganda machinery in the EU—so there will never be another Holocaust.”
The confrontation exposes a growing rift between Brussels and Jerusalem, as Israel insists it is preventing famine while the EU sharpens its punitive arsenal. At the core of the clash: who bears responsibility for Gaza’s suffering—Israel or Hamas.
