Spain Supports Maintenance of Sanctions on Israel

Luxembourg: Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares expressed support for the continuation of EU sanctions on Israel during a meeting with journalists prior to the EU Foreign Ministers' gathering in Luxembourg. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining these sanctions, citing ongoing challenges in achieving a final peace, a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and a two-state solution. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the European Commission had previously proposed suspending specific trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel. This proposal, announced on September 15, included sanctions on two Israeli ministers. The Commission also decided to freeze its bilateral support to Israel, impacting future yearly allocations from 2025 to 2027 and ongoing institutional cooperation projects with Israel, as well as projects funded under the Regional EU-Israel cooperation facility. The suspension, as explained by the Commission, targets the core tr ade-related provisions of the Agreement, effectively removing Israel's preferential access to the EU market. Consequently, imports from Israel will be subject to duties similar to those imposed on any other third country without a free trade agreement with the EU. Israel's trade relationship with the EU is significant, with the EU being its largest trading partner. In 2024, the EU accounted for 32% of Israel's total trade in goods with the world, making Israel the EU's 31st largest trading partner. The total trade in goods between the EU and Israel reached £42.6 billion in 2024, with the EU's exports to Israel amounting to £26.7 billion.