The European Union has decided to reassess its cooperation agreement with Israel, following significant support from member states for a proposal put forth by the Netherlands.
The EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that the EU’s action comes after “a strong majority” of its 27 member states favored this initiative during a meeting of EU foreign ministers, aiming to apply pressure on Israel.
Diplomats mentioned that 17 EU countries advocated for the review during the Brussels meeting, referencing Article two of the agreement, which emphasizes the necessity of respecting human rights.
Opposition to the proposal came from nine member states: Germany, Hungary, Italy, Czechia, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Greece, and Bulgaria.
There has been increasing momentum to re-evaluate the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which underpins trade relations between both parties, particularly since Israel resumed its operations in Gaza after a ceasefire ended.
Ms. Kallas commented that the aid trucks allowed by Israel into Gaza today were merely a “drop in the ocean” compared to the suffering faced by the people living in the enclave. Israel reported that 93 aid trucks entered the territory.
Last year, the Netherlands led the initiative, more than a year after Spain and Ireland, strong advocates for the Palestinian cause, were unable to persuade the bloc to suspend the agreement.
Ms. Kallas noted that the aid allowed into Gaza was a “drop in the ocean.”
Israel has dismissed the EU’s decision to revisit the cooperation deal.
“We completely reject the direction outlined in the statement, which shows a total misunderstanding of the complex reality that Israel is experiencing,” said Oren Marmorstein, spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry, in a post on X.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, established in 1995, regulates political and economic ties between Israel and the bloc. The EU is Israel’s primary trading partner.
The Dutch proposal mirrors a request made by Ireland and Spain in February last year, which eventually led to a convening of the EU-Israel Association Council.
That council meeting, held in February, resulted in strong criticism directed at Israel from certain member states concerning its conduct of the Gaza conflict; however, the Irish-Spanish initiative did not lead to any trade sanctions against Israel.
The latest development reflects a significant shift in the attitudes of EU member states toward Israel, particularly regarding the need to enhance humanitarian support.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed support for the decision to review the agreement, asserting that Israel “cannot act with impunity against all international humanitarian laws and norms.”
In a statement, Mr. Martin remarked that Ireland would strive to ensure the review occurs swiftly and “its conclusions are acted upon.”
“Many thousands of Palestinians have suffered fatalities and injuries in a brutal military operation, with the impact heavily felt by an innocent civilian population,” he stated.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin reiterated Ireland’s commitment to expedite the review process.
Mr. Martin further emphasized: “Thousands more are on the brink of starvation, with the UN indicating that 14,000 babies could perish in the next 48 hours if aid does not reach them.”
“Israel must understand that the world is watching, and we will not remain passive.”
Yesterday, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, along with his counterparts from Spain, Slovenia, and Luxembourg, sent a joint letter to Ms. Kallas expressing support for the Dutch proposal and advocating for “concrete and meaningful action” regarding relations with Israel.
The letter, which was reviewed by RTÉ News, noted that the situation in Gaza had “markedly deteriorated” since the February EU-Israel Association Council meeting, warranting urgent action due to its “unprecedented gravity.”
The four member states indicated that Ms. Kallas does not need consensus among member states to carry out a review of the agreement.
The ministers stated: “At the EU-Israel Association Council in February, the EU reaffirmed that relations between the EU and Israel should be grounded in respect for human rights and democratic principles, which are essential elements of the Association Agreement.”
“All EU relationships must be rooted in adherence to international law and our foundational principles.”
“It is evident that the situation has significantly deteriorated since this meeting, particularly concerning various issues where the EU has expressed clear concerns.”
“It is, therefore, time to genuinely invest in Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement by proceeding with concrete and meaningful action.”
The letter noted that an analysis conducted by the EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights last year underscored the “special urgency” for the EU to determine if Israel was in violation of its human rights obligations.
Labeling the review an ‘important decision’
Mr. Harris characterized the move as an “important decision” reflecting “the grave concerns harbored by member states” regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“Ireland and Spain first called for this measure in February 2024,” Mr. Harris remarked.
He added: “Since then, the situation has drastically worsened, with catastrophic impacts on the civilian populace and a genuine risk of famine.”
“Today, a clear majority of member states concurred on the necessity of sending a robust message to Israel to change its course, cease military operations, and lift the blockade on life-saving aid.”
Before the vote, Minister of State for International Development Neale Richmond noted that the discussion had been deeply emotional.
He told RTÉ News: “The rhetoric at the council [of foreign ministers] level is not what it was a year ago.”
Ireland emphasizes ‘absolute support’ for the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement – Richmond
The UK has paused trade discussions with Israel in response to actions in Gaza.
The British government has suspended free trade negotiations with Israel and imposed new sanctions on West Bank settlers to protest against Israel’s operations in Gaza.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also announced that his office would summon the Israeli ambassador in light of Israel’s expansion of military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Lammy stated: “We have halted negotiations with this Israeli government concerning a new free trade agreement.”
He remarked that the UK is reevaluating its collaboration with the Israeli administration, adding: “The Netanyahu government’s actions have made this necessary.”
Residents of Gaza City filling jerry cans with water today.
Israel has asserted that external pressure will not “divert it from its path in defending its existence.”
“If, driven by an anti-Israel obsession and domestic political motivations, the British government chooses to undermine the British economy, that is its decision,” declared Oren Marmorstein, representative of the Israeli foreign ministry, in a statement.
“External pressure will not sway Israel from its commitment to safeguard its existence and security against adversaries who seek its destruction.”
This response follows Israeli airstrikes that have reportedly killed at least 50 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, as Israel continues its bombing campaign despite mounting international pressure to halt military operations and facilitate unimpeded aid access to Gaza.
The airstrikes targeted two homes, resulting in 18 fatalities, including women and children, as well as a school sheltering displaced families, according to medical sources in Gaza.
Read more: Aid trucks allowed into Gaza but aid not yet collected, says UN. Childhood doesn’t exist in Gaza – UN aid worker
Reports indicate that Israeli strikes have resulted in over 500 deaths in the past eight days as the military offensive has intensified.
Israel’s military stated that it allowed five aid trucks into Gaza following a blockade lasting over two months on essential supplies.
The UN has repeatedly stated that Gaza, home to approximately 2.3 million people, requires a minimum of 500 trucks of aid and commercial goods daily. Throughout the conflict, aid trucks have faced extensive delays at Gaza’s border.
