The European Union has decided to reevaluate its cooperation agreement with Israel, following considerable support from member states for a proposal put forth by the Netherlands. This reflects a significant step in addressing ongoing concerns regarding humanitarian issues in the region.
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Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, stated that the union is moving forward after a “strong majority” of the 27 member states endorsed this initiative during a meeting of EU foreign ministers. This aims to exert pressure on Israel amid rising humanitarian concerns.
At the Brussels meeting, 17 EU states advocated for this review under Article Two of the agreement, which underscores the vital importance of human rights. Conversely, opposition came from nine member states: Germany, Hungary, Italy, Czechia, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Greece, and Bulgaria.
The momentum to reassess the EU-Israel Association Agreement—key to the political and economic relationship between the two entities—has intensified, particularly since Israel resumed its military action in Gaza following the expiration of a ceasefire. In response, Kallas remarked that the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza—93, according to Israeli officials—was merely a “drop in the ocean” compared to the humanitarian crisis on the ground.
This latest effort, spearheaded by the Netherlands, follows a previous attempt by strong supporters of Palestinian rights, namely Spain and Ireland, which did not succeed in persuading the bloc to suspend the agreement last year.
Israel has since expressed its discontent with the EU’s recent decision. “We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing,” stated Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via a post on X.
Since its inception in 1995, the EU-Israel Association Agreement has governed the political and economic relations between the EU and Israel, with the EU currently serving as Israel’s largest trading partner. The Dutch proposal echoes an earlier request made by Ireland and Spain in February, which led to a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council.
During that February meeting, Israel faced harsh criticism for its conduct in the Gaza conflict, yet this ultimately did not result in any trade sanctions against the nation. Current developments indicate a notable shift in attitudes within EU member states, particularly concerning the urgent need to enhance humanitarian support in Gaza.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the decision to review the agreement, asserting that Israel “cannot act with impunity against all international humanitarian laws and norms.” In his statement, he emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting, “Many thousands of Palestinians have been killed and maimed in a brutal military operation, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt.”
He further warned that “thousands more are on the brink of starvation, with the UN warning that 14,000 babies could die in the next 48 hours if aid doesn’t reach them.” Ultimately, he reiterated, “Israel must know that the world is watching, and that we will not stand by.”
In light of the evolving situation, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, along with counterparts from Spain, Slovenia, and Luxembourg, submitted a letter to Ms. Kallas expressing support for the Dutch proposal. They called for “concrete and meaningful action” in relations with Israel.
This letter emphasized that the situation in Gaza had “markedly deteriorated” since the last meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, urging immediate action due to the “unprecedented gravity” of the situation.
The ministers pointed out that Ms. Kallas does not require consensus among member states to conduct a review of the agreement, stating, “At the EU-Israel Association Council in February, the EU reiterated that relations with Israel must be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles—an essential element of the Association Agreement.”
They added that “it is clear that the situation has markedly deteriorated since this meeting, encompassing various issues where the EU has expressed clear concerns.” The time has come to invest meaningful action into Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Furthermore, the letter cited an analysis conducted by the EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights last year, which justified a “special urgency” for assessing whether Israel is in violation of its human rights obligations.
Mr. Harris has referred to this move as an “important decision,” echoing the “grave concerns held by member states” regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. He mentioned, “Ireland and Spain first called for this step back in February 2024,” noting that circumstances have only worsened since then, with catastrophic repercussions for the civilian population.
Minister of State for International Development Neale Richmond remarked that discussions at the council have taken on a more emotional tone compared to a year ago, underscoring the growing urgency of the matter.
In a parallel effort, the UK government has also put trade negotiations with Israel on hold and imposed new sanctions on West Bank settlers in response to actions taken in Gaza. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the UK is assessing its cooperation with the Israeli government, which he stated is necessary due to the ongoing military actions.
In response, Israeli authorities have asserted that external pressures will not sway their commitment to national security. Marmorstein reiterated, “If the British government is willing to harm its economy due to anti-Israel sentiment, that is its prerogative.” He stressed that Israel remains resolute in its defense against threats to its existence.
As Israeli airstrikes continue, reports indicate that at least 50 Palestinians have died in recent attacks, further highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis. With ongoing military operations and international calls for aid, the situation in Gaza remains precarious.
You can read more about this situation, including the status of aid trucks and the impact on civilians, from various reports.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
