Germany has blocked a European Commission proposal to impose sanctions on Israel in response to its military campaign in Gaza, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed.
The Commission’s draft suggested suspending Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research program, a move that would have restricted funding for Israeli projects in drone technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The plan was aimed at pressuring Israel to allow greater humanitarian aid into Gaza, where access remains severely restricted.
Wadephul, speaking at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen, argued that cutting research cooperation would not influence Israel’s military strategy. He emphasized that Germany has already curbed deliveries of certain weapons that could be used in Gaza and suggested Brussels adopt similar targeted restrictions instead.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas admitted the bloc remains deeply divided on the issue and said she was “not very optimistic” about consensus, even though unanimity is not required for such measures.
While Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, has signaled support for stronger sanctions, including suspending trade with Israel, other nations remain hesitant. Spain and Slovenia have openly criticized the EU’s lack of action, with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon noting that the bloc has not imposed “a single measure” against Israel despite months of war, contrasting it with swift sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.
READ MORE: UN Declares Famine in Gaza
Israel has come under mounting international criticism for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid groups report that only a fraction of relief supplies are reaching civilians. Several Western countries have recently recognized Palestine as a state or scaled back cooperation with Israel in protest over its military actions.
