Germany and other member states that are preventing the imposition of sanctions on Israel should propose "measures" and "offer alternatives" to resolve the EU's impasse regarding Gaza, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in an.exclusive interview with Euronews.
Kallas commented as Israel intensified its military operations in Gaza and initiated a ground invasion into Gaza City on Tuesday. She also made her remarks a week following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's statement during her State of the Union address that she wouldproposethe halt of "bilateral assistance" with Israel and the partial suspension of trade elements between the EU and Israelassociation agreement.
To fulfill von der Leyen's statement, Kallas mentioned to Euronews that the commission wouldproposeon Wednesday reinstating taxes on Israeli products following the conflict in Gaza and continued breaches in the West Bank.
However, halting trade with Israel would necessitate a qualified majority vote, with Germany at the forefront of European nations resisting sanctions against the Jewish state, due to its historical involvement in the Holocaust.
When asked how she would persuade the German government to impose tariffs on Israel, Kallas responded, "If you concur that the situation is extremely serious, disastrous, and unsustainable, then the question becomes what actions should we take?"
If you are not in favor of these actions, then which actions do you endorse? Present other options.
However, Kallas highlighted that Germany had already implemented measures to tackle the circumstances in Gaza.
"Meanwhile, Germany has taken this action regarding the suspension of arms shipments to Israel, which is a notable move," she stated.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in August that his nation would halt all further exports of military equipment to Israel "for the time being" that might be utilized in the conflict in Gaza.
Italy and the Czech Republic are among the European Union member states that have expressed opposition to sanctions targeting Israel.
In July, Kallas introduced a collection of10 optionsIn reaction to Israel's activities in Gaza, such as the suspension of trade advantages with Israel and the prevention of imports from Jewish settlements.
The Panel also suggested to partiallysuspendthe European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation initiative.
However, Germany and Italy have rejected those actions.