MEPs criticise Ursula von der Leyen for ‘rewarding terror’ with Israel sanction plans

"Hamas started this war and Hamas can bring it to an end and end the suffering of civilians on both sides.

"Punishing Israel for trying to eliminate a brutal terrorist organisation is neither logically consistent nor morally justifiable."

MEP Lukas Mandl from Austria’s People’s Party, said: “I was shocked listening to that part of von der Leyen‘s speech. It was nothing but a turnaround in her Middle East policies. Israel is fighting for its existence against the very same terrorism that has been threatening also us in Europe.

"Hamas is not yet defeated and it still has hostages in its hands. It will in no way whatsoever lead to peace if the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel will be withdrawn. The bare thought is absurd."

Within hours of the Nova festival massacre, von der Leyen posted on X: "I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. It is terrorism in its most despicable form.

"Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks."

Antonio López-Istúriz, an MEP from Spain's PP, also expressed his opposition to the general European action against Israel: "Calls to exclude Israel from cultural and sporting events are deeply misguided,” he said.

"We must distinguish between legitimate criticism of a government and the blanket ostracism of an entire people.

"Such boycotts undermine Europe’s credibility and do nothing to advance peace. The only path forward is a future negotiated two-state solution that ensures security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians."

And David Lega, a former MEP also from von der Leyen's political group, said of the Commission’s plans: “Hamas murders Israelis and sacrifices its own people and Europe’s answer is talk of sanctions, statehood and bans.”

Lega, who is now the senior adviser for the European Jewish Association, added: "By rewarding terror, Europe becomes Hamas’ accomplice instead of Israel’s ally.”

One more MEP on the list of critics is Bert-Jan Ruissen from the Netherlands' RPP.

He said: “I am deeply disappointed with the EU's plans regarding Israel. Von der Leyen is bowing down to the left. I'm not saying Israel doesn't make mistakes, but if we lose sight of Hamas's murderous nature, we risk making the wrong choices. We risk offering ‘solutions’ that aren’t solutions, such as recognizing a Palestinian state, which only prolongs Hamas’ power in Gaza.

"This does not lead to peace. As far as I'm concerned, we must focus on three things: the immediate release of the hostages, the dismantling of Hamas, and, thirdly, generous humanitarian aid to and protection of the civilians in Gaza.”

Elsewhere, Ivan Scalfarotto, a member of the Italian Senate for the liberal Italia Viva spoke more generally about the EU's changing approach toward Israel.

Scalfarotto said: “It is perfectly possible to criticize Netanyahu – I do it myself. A large part of Israel does the same, taking to the streets in a democratic protest against the government.

"What, in my view, is not acceptable is using legitimate criticism of Netanyahu to question, as unfortunately happens in much of the Western world, Israel’s right to exist and to live in complete security."

While the sanctioning plans do not constitute a boycott and will not block Israel from being allowed to sell to its profitable EU market, they involve the suspension of part of the EU–Israel Association Agreement, a treaty which allows Israel to sell billions of pounds worth of products to the EU tariff-free.

In her address, von der Leyen, said: “The horrific events taking place in Gaza on a daily basis must stop. There needs to be an immediate ceasefire, unrestrained access for all humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

"The EU remains the biggest donor of humanitarian aid and an unwavering champion of the two-state solution.

"Reflecting these principled commitments and taking into account serious recent developments in the West Bank, we propose to suspend trade concessions with Israel, sanction extremist ministers and violent settlers, and put bilateral support to Israel on hold, without affecting our work with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem.”