A senior German lawmaker has called for sanctions on Israel, including partial arms export bans and a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, if humanitarian conditions in Gaza do not improve.
Siemtje Moeller, deputy chair of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary group, made the appeal in a letter to colleagues following her recent visit to Israel and the Gaza border.
Moeller, a member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government, described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” citing UN and aid agency reports of rising deaths from starvation.
She questioned Israel’s claims that humanitarian aid was unrestricted, pointing out that many aid delivery requests had reportedly been denied.
Moeller said Israel “rarely takes action without external pressure,” and proposed three measures: Partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet members and Restrictions on arms exports to Israel.
She also urged the international community to reconsider its stance on Palestinian statehood, arguing that recognition should not be treated as a “taboo” or delayed until a final peace agreement is reached.
Moeller’s SPD joined the governing coalition with Merz’s conservatives in 2025. (Xinhua/NAN)
