The European Commission will discuss imposing additional sanctions on Israel tomorrow, including suspending part of the Israel-EU trade agreement. Its suspension requires a passing vote in two forums.
The first, in the College of Commissioners, will probably be held on Wednesday – and Israel is expected to lose. In their decision, the commissioners will determine that Israel is violating human rights law and therefore the trade agreement should be terminated.
According to an EU source, the proposal presented tomorrow will not aim to completely suspend the trade agreement, but will focus mainly on industrial products, and some agricultural products.
The second vote will be held later, and its results are uncertain. To change Israel's trade agreement with Europe – which is currently a free trade agreement, meaning zero tariffs – requires the support of 55% of the EU countries, comprising 65% of the EU population.
According to an analysis by the Ministries of Finance, Economy and Foreign Affairs, the countries demanding a partial suspension of the trade agreement are close to achieving the necessary majority.
