Due to Israel’s expanded onslaught in Gaza and its inability to completely ease a two-month humanitarian blockade, the European Union will reconsider its extensive trade and cooperation deal with Israel. The decision was made on Tuesday after the Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp presented the proposal earlier this month, which was supported by 17 of the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers.
According to Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a comprehensive agreement outlining the commercial and diplomatic ties between the two countries, the EU executive will now investigate to determine if Israel has breached its human rights commitments.
“It is clear from the conversations today that there is a clear majority in favour of a review of article 2 of our Organisation Agreement with Israel. Israel is responsible for releasing more humanitarian supplies until we begin our evaluation.
Article 2 specifies that interactions “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this agreement.”
Late on Tuesday, Israel replied to Kallas’ declaration. Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, posted a statement on social networking site X outlining their opposition of the EU’s intention to examine its relations with Israel.
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