With a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the early stages of an internationally backed reconstruction plan for Gaza, MEP Hildegard Bentele, the German Christian Democrat who chairs the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Israel, believes Europe is at a crossroads.
“The European Union must now turn the page,” she told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview following a high-level European Parliament delegation visit to Israel last week. “We have reached a different stage: There’s a ceasefire, humanitarian aid is flowing, and Israel is giving the peace plan a chance. The EU should reflect this change in its policy.”
Bentele is pushing for the European Commission to remove proposed sanctions against Israel from the agenda. The measures were originally raised in response to what Brussels described as disproportionate military action and high civilian casualties during the Israel-Hamas War.
“The Commission put sanctions on the table in September,” she said. “It was a wrong decision then, and it’s even more wrong now. The Parliament is split – half supports, half opposes – but conditions have changed. There is no justification to keep punishment on the agenda when Israel is implementing a peace plan and engaging constructively.”
Bentele said she was actively lobbying EU governments and leaders ahead of the next European Council meeting to push the Commission “to take this off the table by the end of the year.”
“If the EU remains in the field of punishing Israel, it will have no role in the governance structures that are now being built,” she said. “Europe risks sidelining itself at a critical moment.”
Concern over EU focus shifting to the West Bank
Despite the positive steps in Gaza, Bentele voiced concern that internal EU discussions were “already shifting toward the West Bank,” focusing on settler violence and new construction plans in areas such as E1 near Jerusalem.
“I see that the EU is searching for another point of criticism instead of going forward,” she said. “Instead of building on the progress in Gaza, there’s talk again about settlers’ violence, expanding settlements, and accusations against Israel. This is not helpful now.”
Even if the war in Gaza is over, “it’s too early to talk about a two-state solution,” Bentele said, adding that the immediate task should be to stabilize Gaza and support international reconstruction efforts.
“Even in Israel, nobody talks about a two-state solution at this stage,” she said. “The Palestinian Authority must be reformed; it’s a long path. Let’s do it step by step.”
Bentele said she had discussions with American and Arab partners about the creation of an International Stabilization Force and a political framework that includes Arab states, the US, and European participation.
'The goal is to prevent another October 7'
“For the first time, we see real international oversight, with Arab involvement,” she said. “The goal is to prevent another seventh of October. Israel is cautious, but it gives this plan a chance. That’s important. The security concerns must be met, and the international community must ensure that Gaza doesn’t turn into a terror state again.”
Bentele said the process was “a huge chance” for Europe to play a constructive role – provided Brussels moves away from the language of sanctions.
Asked whether EU leaders are ready for this policy shift, she said: “They are not yet there. They are still in the old idea that Israel needs to be criticized. But the Parliament can exert pressure.
“I was in Israel with colleagues from across the political spectrum – social democrats, liberals, conservatives – and there’s broad support for change. It’s high time for the EU to adapt to the new situation.”
Bentele’s message was clear: Europe must stop acting as a scolding observer and become an engaged partner.