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The European Unions Foreign Affairs Commission is reportedly debating punitive measures against Israel should it push forward with its plans to annex parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley in accordance with the Trump administrations Middle East peace plan.

Sources familiar with the initiative told Israel Hayom that European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is the one pushing for sanctions. Borrell, a Spanish diplomat, is known for his animosity toward Israel. This attitude is currently offset by the positive sentiment expressed toward Israel by Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, a German diplomat and the sitting president of the European Commission.

The European Unions charter states that all major foreign policy decisions can be made only by a consensus among the blocs 27 member states. It is therefore believed that Israels allies in the European UnionHungary, Romania, Bulgaria and the Czech Republicwill block any major punitive action Borrell may try to promote.

Currently, Sweden, Ireland and Luxembourg are pushing for the harshest response, namely suspending the E.U.-Israel Association Agreement, which regulates relations between the two.

Another potential measure being considered is the exclusion of Israel from Horizon Europe, an ambitious E.U. research and innovation framework slated to run between 2021 and 2027. The program aims to strengthen the E.U.s scientific and technological bases, boost Europes innovation capacity, competitiveness and jobs and to deliver on citizens priorities and sustain socio-economic model and values, according to its website.

A third scenario may see the European Union pull out of the open skies agreement with Israel, which it has yet to ratify.

Each of these scenarios entail a significant economic impact on Israel.

The E.U.s foreign ministers are expected to debate the issue in their next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, though it is unlikely a decision will be made at that time, as the session will convene a mere day after the new Israeli government is to be sworn in.

Over the weekend, a Palestinian NGO called on Borrell to impose sanctions on Israel over its plans to annex the large settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria, calling the move illegal, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

In a letter to Borrell, the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine expressed concerns over Israels planned annexation of parts of the West Bank that P.A. seeks to maintain as part of a future state, calling the move part of the ongoing ethnic cleansing, apartheid and colonization pursued by Israel.

The ECCPs letter said that to confront Israels unilateral land grab and annexation, immediate actions must to be taken, including sanctions and [other] concrete measures.

Meanwhile last week, the Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned E.U. Ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret for clarifications following the publication of a memo suggesting that groups supporting, identifying or affiliated with terrorist organizations could receive European Union funding.

The Unions policy on financing terrorist organizations is a letter of endorsement for incitement, support and involvement in terrorism, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The E.U. Mission in Israel said in response that The EU opposes any incitement to violence or hatred. The allegations that the EU supports terrorism are unfounded and unacceptable, and we strongly oppose any such statement.

This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.

The post EU said to debate punitive measures over Israeli annexation plans appeared first on JNS.org.

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EU said to debate punitive measures over Israeli annexation plans - Cleveland Jewish News