European countries urge EU to toughen stance on Israel

29/8/2025 7:15

European countries including the Netherlands, Sweden and Slovenia have called on the European Union (EU) to increase pressure on Israel and take stronger action regarding the Gaza situation.



Citing an "intolerable" humanitarian crisis in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank, the Netherlands and Sweden have urged fellow EU member states to increase pressure on Israel.



In a letter dated on Aug. 27 to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Dutch Foreign Minister Ruben Brekelmans and his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard said "more needs to be done to ramp up pressure on the Israeli government to change its course and to meet its obligations according to international law."



The ministers proposed sanctions against violent settlers in the West Bank and "extremist Israeli ministers" who "promote illegal settlement activities, and actively work against a negotiated two-state solution."



"The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely disturbing and intolerable. The civilian suffering is beyond words," the letter said, adding that aid distribution must be allowed throughout Gaza.