An EU review finds that Israel may have breached the association agreement with the bloc
A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement concluded on Friday that Israel may have breached its human rights obligations under the pact, increasing pressure on Brussels to take action.
The review found that Israel’s conduct in the Palestinian territories is likely not consistent with the principles set out in the Association Agreement, which forms the basis for trade relations, according to a review conducted by the European Union’s diplomatic service.
The text cited Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the high number of civilian casualties, attacks on journalists, mass displacement, and destruction caused by the war, among other potential rights violations.
The document stated, “Based on assessments conducted by independent international institutions… there are indications that Israel has violated its human rights obligations”.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas is scheduled to present the review to the foreign ministers of the 27 member states, who requested it last month.
The Commission must present possible options, the most radical of which is to suspend the partnership agreement, which includes a significant trade component.
The European Commission, which hasn’t yet announced its intentions, may propose measures that would affect trade between Israel and the European Union, knowing that the EU is Israel’s largest trading partner.
