Overview

• Germany refrained from endorsing the European Commission’s sanctions plan, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the cabinet will decide a position ahead of the 1 October informal council in Copenhagen and the EU summit shortly after.
• Spain backed the Commission’s proposals and has already tightened its own measures, including a full arms embargo, entry bans and support for South Africa’s ICJ genocide case.
• Ursula von der Leyen’s package would strip trade preferences covering about 37% of Israeli exports to the EU and target figures such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben‑Gvir with personal sanctions.
• Merz emphasized solidarity with Israel, rejected describing the Gaza situation as a genocide and ruled out recognizing Palestinian statehood at this stage, noting Germany already curtailed certain arms exports in August.
• Divisions inside Germany’s coalition complicate a common EU line, with the SPD pushing tougher steps, the CSU opposing additional sanctions and parts of the CDU resistant to trade measures but more open to targeted listings.