Step 1: The sequence 5’–GAATTC–3’ is a well-known palindromic sequence recognized by a specific restriction endonuclease. Step 2: The restriction endonuclease that recognizes this sequence is EcoRI, derived from the bacterium \textit{Escherichia coli} RY13. Step 3: EcoRI cuts between the G and A on both strands, producing sticky ends. This makes it widely used in genetic engineering for cloning.
Thus, the restriction endonuclease is EcoRI.