Ireland’s persistent campaign to freeze trade ties with Israel has hit a roadblock in Brussels, after European Council President António Costa admitted it remains “difficult” to reach an agreement to impose trade sanctions.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Taoiseach in Dublin this afternoon, Costa addressed the deep gridlock stalling EU action against Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Despite sustained diplomatic pressure from Ireland and Spain to target trade networks, the EU remains divided.
“It is difficult to reach an agreement to impose trade sanctions against Israel because EU countries have different histories and cultures,” Costa said.
The European Council said that he still hopes Israel will respect international law “as soon as possible.”
Ireland has spent months pushing for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which grants preferential trade terms to the country. Dublin argues that continuing with a “business as usual” framework undermines EU credibility given the scale of civilian casualties.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that Ireland continues to strongly favour freezing the trade pact. However, he admitted that significant friction remains between member states, noting “considerable differences of opinion” across the European spectrum on taking action.
“There always has been [differences] in respect to the Middle Eastern question and particularly the Palestinian-Israeli question,” Martin said.
“Except that all of Europe supports a two-state solution.”
Germany and Austria are said to be heavily resistant to severe trade measures against Israel.
Ireland’s presidency of the European Council faces a continued uphill battle to try to convince other member states to act.
Last week a group of countries, including Ireland, Canada and the UK, issued a strong statement condemning Israel’s actions.