Ireland EU Presidency Raises Israel Sanctions Concern

Jerusalem is worried Ireland's July-December presidency of the Council of the EU could give fresh momentum to anti-Israel initiatives. EU foreign ministers are expected on July 13 to review legal options, including personal sanctions against Itamar Ben Gvir and a more likely move to suspend trade benefits for products from Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Official EU material confirms Ireland now chairs the Council and that the Commission was due to present settlement-related options before that meeting. For Israel, the warning is clear: Europe should confront Hamas and Iranian proxies, not reward pressure campaigns against Israel during an election year.