Kallas raised the possibility of adopting “measures that require a qualified majority of votes,” among them targeted sanctions or partial measures focused on trade.
Italy’s Tajani explicitly backed that approach. “I believe it is better to sanction individually those responsible, I am thinking of violent settlers,” he said, while expressing skepticism about broader trade measures that he said could hurt ordinary Israelis.
While a common EU position toward Israel remains elusive, the critical tone at the meeting of foreign ministers reflects a significant shift in attitudes within the bloc.
“There is very negative momentum toward the Israeli government,” Maya Sion-Tzidkiyahu of the Israel-based Mitvim Institute think tank told POLITICO.
Still, she added, suspending the landmark agreement remained a step too far.
“This is normative Europe versus geopolitical Europe,” she said. “For the time being, the latter wins.”
Kallas reinforced that point, emphasizing any change would require the unanimous support of all 27 member countries.
“We certainly do not have that on the table anymore,” she said.