Khaberni - Israel lost a major ally in Europe within a week and saw a change in position by another capital on the continent, paving the way for economic sanctions to be imposed on it.
Israel faced a tough week in Europe, losing one of its strongest regional allies after the defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the elections, and the suspension of a major defense agreement by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
These shifts are likely to pave the way for the long-awaited imposition of sanctions on settlers who engage in violence in the occupied West Bank and represent increasing pressure on the European Union to reconsider its relationship with Israel regarding its wars in Gaza and the region, according to an analysis by the British newspaper "The Guardian".
Maya Sion-Tzidkiyahu, director of the Israeli-European Relations Program at the Mitvim Research Center and lecturer at the European Forum at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem stated "Hungary’s use of the veto was the only obstacle in the European Council against a package of sanctions against violent settlers".
She expected "As soon as the new government is formed next month, it will be one of the first things the European Union looks to propose, and it will be easy for the new Hungarian leader Peter Magyar to agree," indicating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "stands on the wrong side of history from the perspective of many Europeans, and he is a symbol of Orban".
Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia called for a discussion of Israel's human rights commitments under the partnership agreement with the European Union, during the upcoming meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers next Tuesday.
Although the sanctions imposed on the settlers are considered a symbolic step against a small group with limited connections to Europe, their approval could lead to broader measures, such as the suspension of parts of the agreement that forms the basis of relations between the European Union and Israel.
The European Union is Israel’s top trading partner, most popular tourist destination, and a crucial source for research funding through the multi-billion dollar Horizon program, but it has never managed to turn this economic power into significant political influence within Israel.
Martin Konitschni, director of the European Middle East Project, in Brussels said "The debate on influence and pressure has returned to the forefront again... If a step is taken and the situation does not improve, then the pressure for the next step will rapidly increase."
Last week, more than 390 former high-level ministers, ambassadors, and EU officials urged the bloc to suspend the partnership agreement between the European Union and Israel completely or partially.
A popular petition demanding the same has gathered more than a million signatures from all 27 member countries of the bloc, making it the fastest-spreading petition of its kind.
The freezing of the agreement requires support from Germany or Italy, as it must be endorsed by a "majority" of at least 15 member states representing 65% of the population of the European Union.
In September last year, an attempt to halt trade clauses failed to exceed this limit and after US President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire deal in October, plans faltered.
European Union sources noted that the upcoming talks between Israel and Lebanon are likely to prevent any immediate action by the bloc as many countries fear disrupting the negotiations.
However, Italy's sudden political shift and its decision to suspend the defense cooperation agreement mean that any new proposal will have a greater chance of being passed.
Meloni, one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe and one of the far-right leaders who forged a personal relationship with Netanyahu, has consistently defied public opinion in her country which has witnessed some of the largest European protests against Israel's wars and where support for the Palestinians spans from the left to the center-right.
Lorenzo Castellani, a political historian at Luiss University in Rome said "For the first time since World War II, foreign policy has become a major concern for the Italian public... The reason is simple: it is a conflict with direct geopolitical and economic implications for Italy and Europe as a whole."
The suspension of the defense memo appears to be a symbolic step but it was a "clear warning" to Israel, according to a European diplomat.
Israel has been successful in using its close bilateral relations to obstruct or weaken European policies against it and can still rely on the support of its old allies, such as Czech President Andrej Babis, and if Netanyahu loses the 2026 elections Perez Magyar might consolidate his relationship with his successor.
Political relations with Israel are costing European leaders heavily while the impact of the regional wars waged by Netanyahu and Trump is exacerbating.
Many Europeans who support taking more stringent measures against Israel see the foundational European values at risk, and that inaction will undermine the sovereignty of international law.
Pasquale Ferrara, a former Italian diplomat and researcher said "The absence of effective measures against Israel, compared to the broad sanctions imposed on Russia, has raised concerns about double standards, and it threatens to undermine the international credibility of the European Union."
In an unusual public dispute, the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, denounced the Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his attacks on German Chancellor Frederick Merz.
Since the Gaza war, German public opinion, which had been strongly supportive of the Israeli government, now criticizes most voters about Netanyahu's management.
Despite his criticism of violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank, Merz said last year that the security of Israel remains at the core of German foreign policy.
Israelis are unconcerned about Orban's departure and Meloni's shift amid the dominance of wars in Iran, Lebanon, and relations with the United States in foreign policy discussions, as few Israelis realize the importance of relations with Europe in supporting their living standards.
A survey conducted by the Mitvim Research Center in August 2025 found that two-thirds of Israelis view the European Union as an adversary, while only 14% see it as a friend.
