Merz Says Germany Still to Decide on EU’s Israel Sanctions Plan

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his government will make a decision in the next days about a European Union proposal to suspend Israel’s preferential trade benefits in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The EU’s executive arm on Wednesday put forward a plan to put part of the bloc’s association agreement with Israel on ice, meaning it would be charged the same tariff rate as other nations that don’t have a trade accord with the EU.

The move comes amid a global outcry at the plight of Palestinian civilians, especially after Israel launched a ground offensive against Gaza ...