Merz: Germany to agree position on EU Israel sanctions by October

Germany is to set out its position on proposed EU sanctions against Israel before a European Union meeting in October, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday, during his first visit to Madrid since taking office in May.

Merz told a press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that the Cabinet will discuss European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal next week, ahead of an EU summit in Copenhagen.

“I expect we will have a position at the informal council on October 1 in Copenhagen that is supported by the entire federal government,” Merz said.

Von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed several punitive measures aimed at pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to change course. The sanctions would see free trade benefits withdrawn and sanctions imposed on extremist Israeli ministers.

From the European Commission’s perspective, Israel is violating human rights and international humanitarian law with its military offensive.

Sánchez expressed support for the EU sanctions, saying Spain has long called for suspending the EU-Israel strategic partnership agreement.

Merz was due to discuss cooperation with Spain, European political issues and security policies in the Spanish capital. While relations between Germany and Spain are considered good, there are differences on their stance on Israel.

Merz, like Sánchez, sharply criticizes the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, but Berlin has so far rejected imposing sanctions on Israel, apart from restricting arms exports.

In contrast, Spain took measures early in the Gaza conflict. In 2024, it became the first EU member to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

At the beginning of September, Sánchez announced a complete arms embargo and a travel ban for those “directly involved in the genocide, human rights violations and war crimes in Gaza.”