The EU Commission wants to mark its opposition to Israel by freezing parts of the country's participation in the research cooperation Horizon Europe. But not even that can the member countries agree on so far.
Frustrating, thinks Malmer Stenergard.
–There are some who are worried that it would hit the wrong part of Israeli society and I can have some understanding for that. But Sweden supports the proposal and says at the same time that more is also required. It is a sign of weakness in the EU that we cannot gather when we see such a terrible humanitarian situation, says the Foreign Minister after Saturday's EU meeting in Copenhagen.
”Stands and weighs”
Germany is one of the no-sayers.
Malmer Stenergard still hopes that enough countries will change their minds.
–I experience that there are many countries that stand and weigh and then we continue to drive on, she says.
Sweden also wants to freeze the trade parts of the EU's cooperation agreement with Israel and impose sanctions on Israeli ministers.
Going ahead on its own is not an option, however. Trade policy is common in the EU and Sweden has no national sanction system.
Lack of time
–It is much more powerful if we can do this together. On the other hand: if we are constantly stopped from implementing these more powerful measures, then we must eventually consider alternatives, says Malmer Stenergard.
–But right now, no such work is in progress and it is well known that it would take quite a long time in a Swedish legislative process, says the Foreign Minister.
The time aspect is critical, considering the acute situation on site.
We do not have much time when children are starving in Gaza and therefore we mean that one must do more, says Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Here are some alternatives that the EU can take to put pressure on Israel:
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Pause the cooperation agreement – which, however, requires unanimity among all countries.
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Impose sanctions on more settlers and/or ministers – also requires unanimity.
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Pause the trade parts of the cooperation agreement (or parts of them) – requires "only" a qualified majority, which, however, can be difficult to achieve if, for example, Germany or Italy do not give their support.
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Pause parts of Israel's participation in the research cooperation Horizon Europe – has been formally proposed and also requires only a qualified majority. Has not yet been put to a formal vote, however.
