(Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman)The European Commission on Wednesday proposed suspending key trade privileges with Israel and imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, citing a breach of human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She added, "The horrific events taking place in Gaza on a daily basis must stop. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said the measures were "both appropriate and proportionate given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza." Both the preferential trade suspension and research grant freezes require a qualified majority - 15 of 27 member states representing at least 65% of the EU population. The EU is Israel's largest trading partner, accounting for 32% of its global trade in goods.