Overview

• Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament the Commission has suspended its payments to Israel over conduct in Gaza, with cooperation for Israeli civil society and Yad Vashem maintained.
• She will propose listings for sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers and recommend a partial suspension of trade provisions under the EU–Israel association agreement.
• The Commission did not specify the size or mechanics of the payment freeze, and any sanctions or trade changes would require a qualified‑majority decision by EU governments.
• Member states remain divided, with Germany signaling opposition to broad measures, leaving no qualified majority despite support from most other large countries.
• Von der Leyen said the EU will convene a donor group in October to establish a Gaza reconstruction instrument in coordination with regional partners.