EU Urges Sanctions on Israel Over Gaza Violence Amid Mounting Civilian Deaths

The European Union is urged to rethink its relations with Israel as violence in Gaza and the West Bank continues. Ireland calls for sanctions on Israeli ministers accused of inciting racial hatred. The EU faces internal divisions, with differing stances on supporting Israel or Palestine.

The European Union is being urged to reconsider its relationship with Israel as the death toll in Gaza and the West Bank continues to climb. Ireland and the EU's top diplomat have called for sanctions against some Israeli ministers accused of inciting racial hatred.

During a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and criticized the military campaign it launched almost 11 months ago. He emphasized that the war is disproportionately affecting Palestinian civilians, as over 40,000 people have been killed and 90% of the population displaced.

Tensions have also escalated in the West Bank following Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7. The EU must reconsider its ties with Israel, said Martin, highlighting a recent legal opinion by the International Court of Justice declaring Israel's occupation unlawful. However, the EU remains divided, with countries like Austria, Germany, and Hungary backing Israel, while Ireland and Spain support the Palestinians.

(With inputs from agencies.)