Punishments?
EU ministers are meeting on Monday to discuss “consequences” they may impose on Israel for “non-engagement” with their proposed peace plan
On Sunday, Gaza’s health ministry announced that 25,000 Palestinians – which include both Hamas and civilians – have died since October 7
That number comes amid growing pressure on Israel to negotiate with Hamas to end the war
Israeli leaders have rejected those diplomatic efforts, vowing to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed
The US, EU, and many other countries support what is known as the “two-state solution,” a vision for peace in which Israel and Palestine exist side-by-side as independent countries
A coalition of Arab countries is reportedly preparing to offer a comprehensive peace deal that would trade their recognition of Israel for Western countries’ recognition of the state of Palestine
On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to reject those diplomatic efforts, writing on X that he “will not compromise on full Israeli security control of the entire area west of the Jordan River – and that is irreconcilable with a Palestinian state”
On Sunday, he doubled down on that, calling a Palestinian state “an existential danger to Israel”
On Monday, EU foreign ministers plan to meet to discuss “consequences” against Israel if it refuses to engage with its peace plan
Per the Financial Times, the EU’s demands include “an independent Palestinian State”, “full mutual diplomatic recognition,” and the “development of security and economic co-operation”
The EU doesn’t have as much diplomatic power over Israel as the US does, but it is one of Israel’s largest trade partners
One senior EU official told the FT that the EU could use its trade ties with Israel to create “incentives and disincentives” for its behavior
The US, which also backs the two-state solution, has not threatened punishments against Israel
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