Union Foreign Minister Borell, known for tough positions on sovereignty, is leading the discussions • Potential sanctions: cancellation of agreements • Hope: Israeli friendship will intervene

• Joseph Burrell // Photo: Reuters

The European Commission has begun internal discussions on how to punish Israel, if and when it applies its sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, in accordance with President Trump's plan. 

Talks with updated sources taking place within the Union show that the most acute line of the move has been led by Union Foreign Minister Joseph Burrell, who has known hostile attitudes to Israel for many years. Against it is currently broadcasting a more positive line towards the EU President, Ursula von Der Lein, as well as the countries that favor it in the EU. 

Photo Archive: GPO

Under the EU Constitution, meaningful foreign policy decisions can only be made with the agreement of all countries. Therefore, it is believed that Israeli friendships in the Union, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria, will block severe punishment initiatives against Israel. 

As far as is currently known in Israel, the strongest response proposed by Sweden, Ireland and Luxembourg may be the cancellation of the Association Agreement, which regulates the Union-Israel relationship. In this case, the economic harm will be significant. Another possibility is the exclusion of Israel from the Horizon 2027 program, in which research, science and technology institutions receive cumulative grants of hundreds of millions of shekels. Another possible scenario is the suspension of the Open Sky Agreement with Israel, which awaits final ratification of the Union anyway. There may be additional steps. 

The campaign has not yet begun

At the same time, the Foreign Ministers of the EU member states are expected to convene on Thursday, and it is estimated that the issue of sovereignty will be debated. However, it seems that no decision will be made since this is just one day after the new government's inauguration is expected. For its part, Israel has not yet begun a diplomatic campaign to justify the course of sovereignty. In preliminary contacts with Israeli ambassadors in the Union countries, it was only explained that the Israeli government has not yet been established and there is still no certainty that the implementation of the law in the valley and in Judea and Samaria will be implemented.

Criticism against Israel in the Union blames it on internal discussions of exploiting the Corona crisis to advance sovereignty. 

Meanwhile, on Thursday, EU Ambassador Emanuel Jopra was invited to a clarification call at the Foreign Ministry. Joopra is required to give explanations to the European Union's Deputy Director-General, Ambassador Anna Azari, following a letter from the EU stating that terrorism-related entities, supporting it or identifying with terrorist organizations can receive EU funding. " Written Authorization for Incitement, Support and Involvement in Terrorism, ”the Foreign Ministry statement said. 

The EU delegation in Israel said in response: "The EU opposes any incitement to violence or hatred. The accusations that the EU supports terrorism are unfounded and cannot be accepted, and we strongly oppose any such statement."