EU foreign policy czar says Israel sanctions primed, but some states don’t want to pull trigger

The European Commission’s plans to impose a freeze on trade and suspend a research agreement with Israel are being thwarted by opposition from members states, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas tells the European Parliament, according to Politico.

“Our options for more action are clear and remain on the table, but member states disagree on how to get the Israeli government to change course,” Kaja Kallas is quoted saying. “We cannot move as a union until member states share the same view on what to do.”

Kallas is quoted saying that the commission compiled a whole “inventory” of possible steps against Israel, but needs unity to implement any of the measures.

Among the options are a ban on trade and kicking Israel out of participation in the Horizon fund, which awards multi-million euro grants to scientific research and other innovations.

She is also quoted saying that “I believe we must continue diplomatic efforts with Israel because we cannot get anywhere if we do not talk.”

Israel has long relied on a handful of countries, largely on the eastern end of the 28-nation bloc, to stymie EU designs against it.