The European Union has taken its most significant action to date against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, proposing sweeping trade restrictions and sanctions targeting far-right Israeli ministers. The move comes as a United Nations commission officially determined Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, documenting four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the measures would include suspending tariff preferences on Israeli goods worth approximately €6 billion and imposing asset freezes and visa bans on National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for their extremist rhetoric and policies.
UN Genocide Determination
A comprehensive 72-page report by the UN Commission of Inquiry found "reasonable grounds" to conclude Israel has committed genocide through killing Palestinians, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the population, and imposing measures to prevent births. The report specifically named Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as having "incited genocide" through their statements and policies. Commission Chair Navi Pillay emphasized this represents "the strongest and most authoritative UN finding to date" on Israel's actions in Gaza.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
The UN report documented Israel's systematic destruction of Gaza's infrastructure, with over 90% of homes damaged or destroyed and complete collapse of healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. A UN-backed famine declaration affects over half a million people in Gaza City, with Israel accused of "weaponizing the withholding of life-sustaining necessities". The commission found Israeli forces intentionally targeted civilians including children, with one doctor quoted stating "the essence of childhood has been destroyed in Gaza" due to widespread starvation and trauma. The death toll has reached at least 64,964 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to UN-verified figures.
Complicity Concerns
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the international community's failure to prevent genocide, asking "Where are the decisive steps to prevent genocide? Why are countries not doing more to avert atrocity crimes?". The EU's proposed measures face significant hurdles requiring approval from member states, with Germany and Italy expressing reluctance to support even milder previous proposals. The commission warned all countries have an obligation under the Genocide Convention to prevent and punish genocide, noting that inaction could amount to complicity.