Cardinal calls on EU to match sanctions on Russia with measures against Israel — UnionPress

Roman Catholic cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel, likening its Gaza campaign to the disproportionate violence seen in other conflicts.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández used the opening of an Extraordinary Consistory in the Vatican on 26 June to demand that the European Union apply the same moral logic it uses against Russia to the situation in Gaza. Speaking alongside Pope Leo, the Argentine theologian warned that the EU's current approach, sanctioning one country while supplying another with aid and weapons, undermines the bloc's credibility on human rights.

Fernández's remarks were explicit. He said the EU "imposes economic sanctions on one country, and sends financial aid and weapons to another, fails … in the face of other, even more serious invasions, with even more brutal consequences for entire populations." While he did not name the countries, the context made clear that he referred to sanctions on Russia and the continued military support for Israel.

He went on to describe Israel's "destruction of entire cities" as "not a proportionate defensive action". Citing the high civilian death toll, the large number of children killed and the extensive bombing of homes in Gaza and southern Lebanon, Fernández argued that the scale of the attacks amounted to "total destruction".

The cardinal's appeal arrives at a moment when several EU member states, France, Spain, Sweden and about ten others, are already discussing a coordinated sanctions package against Israel. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a right‑wing populist who has cultivated Catholic support, is under pressure to join the initiative.

Meloni's government has previously defended Pope Francis in a dispute with US President Donald Trump, but her stance on Israel has been less predictable. The Vatican, which maintains a network of churches, missions and personnel in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, could become a diplomatic flashpoint if Israeli forces target those sites or if settler violence escalates.

Israeli officials have reacted sharply to criticism from European leaders. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar declared EU foreign‑policy chief Kaja Kallas persona non grata on the social platform X, accusing her of antisemitic "blood libel". Sa'ar also clashed publicly with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after Israel recognised the Armenian genocide, a move that drew condemnation from some quarters in Europe.

EU Commission lawyers are still debating whether trade restrictions on Israel could be adopted by a qualified majority vote or would require unanimity. Czech and German reservations have so far blocked consensus, meaning any sanctions proposal faces a steep procedural climb.

German Christian‑Democrat officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and anti‑antisemitism watchdog Katharina von Schnurbein, have reportedly been reluctant to endorse sanctions, citing concerns about diplomatic fallout and the need to protect European‑Israeli economic ties.

In contrast, Spanish Socialist Foreign Minister Josep Borrell criticised the EU's inaction, noting that Israel had barred him from entry. He described the lack of coordinated response as a "fine display of solidarity and coordination" that fell short of the EU's own standards.

Fernández's speech highlighted the human toll of the conflict. He pointed to the disproportionate number of civilian casualties in densely populated areas, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the psychological trauma inflicted on children. By framing these facts in moral terms, the cardinal sought to shift the debate from geopolitics to ethics.

He warned that "violence, cynicism, and spiteful verbal attacks by political leaders in some countries have reached levels that were unimaginable not long ago." While the comment echoed concerns about populist rhetoric in the United States, Fernández argued that silence or negligence on the part of the EU could be equally damaging.

Israel's finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir, both known for hard‑line positions, have not publicly responded to the cardinal's remarks. Their past statements suggest they view external criticism as an attempt to undermine Israel's right to self‑defence, a stance that could further inflame tensions.

Sa'ar, who rejoined the Likud party in 2023 after a brief departure, appears to be using a series of high‑profile confrontations to bolster his standing ahead of the party's primary elections in July. His recent attacks on European officials may be part of a broader strategy to present himself as a staunch defender of Israel on the international stage.European officials, meanwhile, are weighing the political cost of confronting Israel. Some fear that sanctions could jeopardise trade, energy security and cooperation on research and development, areas where the EU and Israel have deep ties.

The debate over sanctions on Israel reflects a wider European struggle to reconcile values‑based foreign policy with strategic interests. The EU has already imposed extensive measures on Russia, including asset freezes and export controls, but the conflict in Ukraine has not yet produced a consensus on how to handle other crises that involve civilian casualties.

Public opinion across the continent shows growing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Polls in France, Germany and the Netherlands indicate that a majority of citizens support stronger EU action, ranging from diplomatic pressure to targeted economic measures.

Trade unions have also entered the conversation, warning that unchecked military spending in conflict zones can divert resources away from social programmes at home. The European Trade Union Confederation has called for a "comprehensive European response" that includes humanitarian aid, protection of civilian infrastructure and, where appropriate, sanctions against parties that breach international law.

In the coming weeks, the European Council is expected to discuss a possible sanctions package. If a qualified majority can be secured, the EU could move forward with measures such as arms export bans, restrictions on dual‑use technology and targeted financial sanctions against individuals deemed responsible for war crimes.

However, the political calculus remains complex. Member states with strong pro‑Israel lobbies, including some in Central and Eastern Europe, may continue to block consensus. The outcome will likely hinge on whether the moral pressure exerted by figures like Cardinal Fernández can translate into concrete policy decisions.

For now, the cardinal's appeal adds a new moral dimension to an already fraught debate, reminding European leaders that the stakes extend beyond diplomatic posturing to the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire.