EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a tougher stance on Israel, including sanctions on "extremist ministers" and violent settlers, and a pause on bilateral payments, in response to the Gaza crisis. This sparked a furious response from Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who accused von der Leyen of echoing Hamas propaganda. The EU will also propose a partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement's trade aspects, though internal divisions within the EU may hinder implementation. While some MEPs applauded the announcement, others strongly opposed it, highlighting the deep divisions within the European Parliament regarding the conflict.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.