German Chancellor blocks efforts to sanction Israel
The EU leaders have welcomed the Islamabad memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US, but critics say they did nothing to try to prevent the illegal war against the Islamic Republic and may have even encouraged it.
In January, for example, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed that Iran's government was in its "final days and weeks". That prediction didn't age well.
International law experts widely agree that the war was illegal, yet the EU remains unwilling to acknowledge this.
Analysts argue that is because Israel enjoys extraordinary influence over EU decision-making.
Countries such as Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, and Luxembourg want to punish Israel by curtailing economic ties, but the bloc's powerhouse, Germany, won't have it.
It was discussed measures on trade against Israel i rejected these proposals on behalf of the federal government.
Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
The summit heard repeated calls for a 21st round of tough sanctions against Russia, yet only a handful of carefully crafted words were directed at the Israeli regime.
At the same time, it is important that Israel respects both the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Lebanon.
Ursula Van Der Leyen, EU Commission President
Analysts say Trump was convinced the war on Iran was a good idea, and the EU just stood by and watched.
There was a clear sight of an agreement, but Benjamin Netanyahu didn't like it, so, together with Jared Kushner, [Trump's] son-in-law, he probably pushed Trump into this conflict, into this war.
The Europeans probably saw what was played out, but Merz, he is German, he will never ever condemn any Israeli step.
Johann Weick, EU Policy Consultant
By aligning itself with the ambitions of the Israeli regime, the EU now finds itself politically embarrassed, while European citizens we've spoken to say they continue to bear a high economic cost.
I think it's certain that Israel does not want peace, and as long as the Americans don't tell Israel to maintain peace against its will, there will never be peace. It's up to the Americans to tell Israel to stop.
Member of Public 01
Many analysts argue that if the EU had not allowed Israel to act with impunity for decades, the regime might never have felt sufficiently emboldened to orchestrate the illegal war against Iran.
They also point to a growing realization around the world that Iran is not the problem; it's Israel.
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