Manufacturers head slams EU proposal to curb trade as ‘disproportionate, political’

The head of Israel’s manufacturers association warns that the European Commission’s proposal to curb free-trade arrangements on Israeli goods over the war against Hamas in Gaza is a “serious and disproportionate step” for Israeli industry, which is attempting to keep operating at strength even while suffering the effects of war.

“This is a political decision disguised as a moral one, which undermines the foundations of economic cooperation between Israel and Europe,” says Israel Manufacturers Association president Ron Tomer. “Cooperation that has been built over decades based on values ​​of innovation, freedom of trade, and dialogue.”

Tomer calls on the Israeli government to act against countries that support terrorism and strengthen economic alliances with other countries in the world, noting that Israeli exports are suffering due to the war.

“Israeli exports are being hit day after day, sometimes at home and sometimes from abroad, especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals and defense technologies, a hit that will affect not only Israel but also our European partners who benefit from our products and services,” he says.

“If the European Union chooses to implement ‘economic sanctions’ it will also hurt itself,” Tomer cautions, echoing the Foreign Ministry.