European Union Divided over Response to Suspected Israeli Rights Breaches
GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE, JUN 23 – The EU debate over measures against Israel highlights divisions among member states amid findings of human rights breaches and over 56,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, officials said.
- The EU’s diplomatic corps delivered an internal legal review on Monday in Brussels indicating Israel may breach its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to its actions in Gaza.
- This review followed the war that started on 7 October 2023 causing about 56,000 Palestinian deaths, and reflects growing EU concern amid member state divisions and Spain’s call to suspend the EU-Israel agreement.
- Nine EU countries back initiatives to curb trade with Israeli settlements, while others like the Netherlands hesitate to escalate, and Spain has cancelled arms deals and called for an embargo on weapons to Israel.
- EU diplomat Kaja Kallas highlighted the priority of improving conditions on the ground, stressing the importance of increasing humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Meanwhile, Spain’s Foreign Minister emphasized that the period for mere statements has ended.
- Member states remain divided on further action, with an EU foreign ministers meeting planned in July to discuss next steps, while the review aims to pressure Israel to ease Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
16 Articles
16 Articles
EU seeks Gaza progress
The EU said on Monday that Israel must improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or else face possible consequences, after a review of a cooperation deal found it fell short of its human-rights obligations. The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said the bloc hopes to use a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to pressure Israel to ease suffering in the Palestinian territory and allow more aid into the strip. "We will contact …
EU says Israel breaching key agreement with its actions in Gaza
The European Union says there are "indications" that Israel's actions in Gaza are violating human rights obligations in the agreement governing its ties with the EU, according to its findings seen by The Associated Press. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas presented the review to foreign minsters of the 27-member bloc in Brussels on Monday, leading at least one country to openly propose suspending the agreement. "There are indications that Isra…
The High Representative will now limit herself to opening a dialogue with Tel Aviv to try to "improve the humanitarian situation" in the face of the Netanyahu blockade, but she does not foresee measures for the time being and the lack of sufficient support puts them uphill.
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