Israel against the wall, the pressure on the binjamine of Netanyahu is growing. Europe can turn off the cock with money. “It's time”
According to a diplomat, about 10 countries – including Belgium, Ireland, Spain and Luxembourg – were at least during a recent meeting for at least a partial suspension of the association agreement with Israel.
According to local authorities, from the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, almost 60,000 were killed in the Gaza Strip. people. There is hunger on the Palestinian territory occupied by the Israeli army, because of which over 100 people died, including most children. However, Europe has cards that can force Netanyahu to change the course.
– In 24 hours, 15 people died of hunger, including four children – said on Tuesday, July 22, the Ministry of Health in Gaza. According to local hospitals, a total of 101 people have died from the beginning of the war, including 80 children.
The EU diplomat, who talked to Politico, provided that anonymity was maintained, said that the possible German decision to allow some funds to suspend some funds under the association agreement would have “huge” meaning and would tilt the scales in favor of taking decisive actions.
– If Germany considered even a slight change in the position, it would be a decisive importance – added the same person, especially since Italy would probably follow in their footsteps, and Berlin was the loyal supporter of Israel. “If your best friend tells you that you are on a bad way, it has a much greater impact than the opinion of a stranger.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are considering further actions to Israel after the French President Emmanuel Macron tightened his position on the Middle Eastern conflict.
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“It's time to end the war in the Gaza Strip,” said the leaders of Great Britain, France and Germany on Friday, July 25. According to a representative of the global UN food program, one -quarter of the Gaza Zone population is in a situation similar to hunger.
“The most basic needs of civilians, including access to water and food, must be met without further delay” – added European leaders in a statement. The telephone conversation provided for Friday between three politicians was postponed to the weekend.
Although they agree on the urgent need to suspend weapons, further coordination of actions remains difficult. Keir Starmer from Great Britain and Friedrich Merz from Germany have refused to recognize the Palestinian state so far, although both are looking for new ways to put pressure on Israel.
“This may lead to the introduction of the strongest funds against Israel so far”
One way to increase the pressure on Israel by Merz's government would be to re -assess the blockage of EU applications regarding the suspension of the association agreement between the EU and Israel, which provides strict ties in the field of trade and other areas of cooperation.
A spokesman for the German chancellor told journalists on Friday, July 25 that [Friedrich Merz] is “ready to increase pressure if there is no progress [w kwestiach takich jak zawieszenie broni i pomoc humanitarna]”.
Great Britain has already imposed sanctions on members of the Israeli government, but Starmer meets with growing demands – including over 200 deputies from various parties – to join France in support of Palestine.
Some believe that Starmer's caution results from his willingness to maintain good relations with the US President Donald Trump, who comes to Scotland on Friday with a visit to his two golf courses. The United States provided Israel with extensive military, financial and diplomatic support throughout the war.
While Berlin signaled that for the first time he could be ready to take specific actions against Israel, and Starmer tries to draw the attention of Trump, the question remains whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take into account any of these diplomatic pressure.
Israel began an attack on gauze in October 2023 after the attack of Hamas fighters on the territory of Israel, in which more than a thousand people were killed. From the beginning of the EU conflict, it has difficulty influenced, but if the Germans decide to take more decisive steps, this may lead to the introduction of the strongest funds so far against Israel.
Merz has already criticized Israel's actions in an extremely sharp way for a German leader, but now he must meet the demands to support his words with deeds. Pressure on the Chancellor is exerted, among others, by his coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
This week, two high -ranking SPD politicians called Merz's government to suspend the export of weapons to Israel and join European efforts to suspend the EU association agreement with this country.
Palestinians in the Gaza Zone mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombing, on July 26, 2025.Saeed MMT JARAS / Anadol Via Getty Images / Getty Images
France raises the stake
During the Wednesday meeting in Brussels, EU ambassadors discussed the crisis in the Gaza Strip, and four countries – including Germany and Italy – again objected to taking action under the association agreement.
This means that a “blocking minority” would be created, which could prevent any sanctions in the vote of representatives of EU countries in Brussels.
Meanwhile, France, however, focused its efforts on strengthening support for the recognition of the Palestinian state. Macron announced this step for months, but his Announcement in this matter that took place on Thursday, July 24surprised the French political and diplomatic circles.
– Even if we are not talking about conditions, we have always claimed that we want to do it as part of a joint initiative with other countries that take action to get closer with Israel – even if it is of course complicated – and other countries that would also announce the recognition of Palestine – said the high -ranking French diplomat.
Asked on Friday about Macron's statement, Trump called the President of France “a very good guy”, but he added that “what he says does not matter” and that his “statement has no importance.”
