European Union foreign ministers convened in Brussels on Monday, where they approved sanctions targeting Israeli settlers and Hamas leaders, while remaining divided on broader measures such as suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Simultaneously, a separate diplomatic dispute emerged after Ukraine accused Israel of importing grain allegedly stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
EU Sanctions on Israeli Settlers and Hamas Leaders
During a meeting on Monday, EU foreign ministers reached a unanimous agreement to impose sanctions on three Israeli settlers and four settler organizations for violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as well as on leaders of Hamas. The identities of those sanctioned have not been publicly disclosed.
The sanctions package had been blocked for months by Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Following the appointment of new Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Saturday, the veto was lifted. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, "It was high time we move from deadlock to delivery. Extremisms and violence carry consequences."
"The time has come for the EU to break its Association Agreement with Israel." — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU is sanctioning "the main Israeli organisations guilty of supporting the extremist and violent colonisation of the West Bank" and the main leaders of Hamas, whom he described as "responsible for the worst antisemitic massacre in our history since the Shoah."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the measures, calling them "arbitrary and political," and asserted Israel's position that Jews have the right to settle in the occupied West Bank. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir denounced the EU as "antisemitic," stating that "the settlement enterprise will not be deterred." A senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, accused the EU of "political hypocrisy" and "racism."
According to UN data, over 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the occupied West Bank among some three million Palestinians. Violence in the region has escalated since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which killed 1,200 people. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 45 Palestinians, including 11 children, were killed in the West Bank in 2026. Some EU member states had pushed for broader measures, such as banning settlement products or suspending trade agreements, but these were not adopted.
EU Divided on Suspension of Association Agreement with Israel
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly called for the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, stating he would formally propose this to the EU. Sánchez said, "The time has come for the EU to break its Association Agreement with Israel. We have nothing against the people of Israel; quite the contrary. But a government that violates international law and, therefore, the principles and values of the EU cannot be our partner."
EU countries are expected to oppose Spain's request. EU Foreign Affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated that suspending the agreement requires a unified position among member states, though this is not explicitly required by EU treaties. According to diplomats, there is currently no broad consensus among member states to suspend the agreement. Germany and Italy have opposed the initiative in the past and have not changed their stance. The Italian government stated it will adopt a "serious and balanced approach." The European Commission had previously proposed a partial suspension of the trade pillar of the agreement in September, but this met opposition from EU countries, with Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic opposing it.
Ireland and Slovenia have previously joined Spain in requesting discussion of the agreement. An internal European External Action Service (EEAS) review found that Israel breached Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement through violations of international law in Gaza.
EU Warns Israel Over Stolen Ukrainian Grain Shipment
The European Union has warned Israel that it is prepared to impose sanctions on entities facilitating the trade of Ukrainian grain allegedly stolen by Russia, following reports that a ship carrying such grain arrived at the port of Haifa. The Panama-flagged vessel Panormitis, reportedly carrying over 6,200 tonnes of wheat and 19,000 tonnes of barley, has arrived at Haifa port but has not yet unloaded.
A European Commission spokesperson stated that the EU condemns actions that fund Russia's war effort and circumvent EU sanctions, and remains ready to list individuals and entities in third countries if necessary. The EU has contacted the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the issue.
Ukraine Accuses Israel of Importing Stolen Grain; Israel Opens Investigation
Ukraine's government accused Israel of allowing the import of grain that Russia allegedly stole from occupied Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a vessel carrying grain arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload, calling the trade illegal and warning of sanctions against involved parties. Zelenskyy wrote that Ukrainian intelligence services are preparing sanctions against companies and individuals profiting from the shipments, and that Ukraine is coordinating with European partners.
Israel's government said the vessel had not entered the port and had not yet submitted its documents. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the country's tax authority opened an investigation into the ship expected to dock at Haifa port. He characterized Zelenskyy's comments as "Twitter diplomacy," adding that Ukraine had not provided sufficient information or requested legal assistance.
"Ukraine has identified multiple vessels carrying grain from its occupied territories, with shipments arriving in Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and other countries."
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv had informed Israeli authorities about vessels in advance, reporting that more than two ships carrying agricultural products described as illegally taken by Russia had arrived in Israel. The ministry summoned Israel's ambassador to protest what it called a continuing flow of such shipments. It stated that concealment methods, including ship-to-ship transfers in the Black Sea, were known and accused Israel of failing to respond to formal requests to detain vessels and cargo. Ukraine described the issue as systemic and urged Israel to halt imports, warning of risks to bilateral relations.
Ukraine has identified multiple vessels carrying grain from its occupied territories, with shipments arriving in Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and other countries. The Panama-flagged bulk carrier Asomatos docked in Egypt, reportedly carrying over 25,000 tonnes of wheat loaded in Feodosia, Crimea. The Russia-flagged Victoria departed from Mariupol earlier this month and unloaded over 7,000 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat in Egypt.