EU Countries Urge Debate on Suspension of Israel Pact

Three EU Countries Urge EU to Reconsider Association Agreement with Israel

In a joint letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the governments of Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland have requested that the European Union consider suspending its association agreement with Israel. The three countries stated that Israel’s actions are in violation of human rights and international law.

The letter, sent last week, cited several measures taken by Israel as contravening human rights and violating international humanitarian law. These include a proposed Israeli law that would impose the death penalty by hanging on Palestinians convicted in military courts, which the ministers described as “a grave violation of fundamental human rights.” They also highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where conditions are deemed “unbearable” due to continuing ceasefire violations and insufficient aid.

The EU review had previously found Israel failing to meet its obligations under the association agreement, but the situation has worsened since then. The ministers argued that Israel is in breach of Article 2 of the agreement, which ties relations to respect for human rights.

Ireland and Spain first pushed for a review of the agreement in 2024, but the effort failed to gain enough support from member states. A later Dutch-led initiative succeeded in triggering an EU assessment, which concluded that Israel had “likely” breached its obligations under the pact.

The three countries have urged the EU to take bold and immediate action, stating that all options should remain on the table. They also expressed their expectation that every European country would uphold what the International Court of Justice and the UN say on human rights and international law.

In related news, Slovenia has banned imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied territories, becoming one of the first European states to take such a step. Spain has followed with a decree banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements.

Source: Al Jazeera