EU Considers Reassessing Ties with Israel

(MENAFN) European Union foreign ministers are scheduled to convene in Brussels on Tuesday to deliberate on the future of the bloc’s relationship with Israel.

The talks come as momentum builds for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the imposition of punitive measures against Tel Aviv.

However, analysts suggest that internal disagreements within the EU limit the potential for firm action.

EU foreign policy head Kaja Kallas is expected to present several possible steps, including a complete or partial halt to the agreement, which governs the political, economic, and commercial ties between the European Union and Israel.

Although halting political engagement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration would demand full consensus—a challenging feat due to resistance from nations such as Hungary and Germany—revoking trade advantages would only need a qualified majority.

Other ideas under consideration involve excluding Israel from EU initiatives like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, as well as blocking goods originating from Israeli settlements.

These proposals reflect increasing frustration within the bloc over Israel’s activities in Palestinian territories.

This policy debate follows a ministerial session on June 23, which reportedly concluded that Israel may be violating its human rights commitments under Article 2 of the association agreement, based on its actions in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to a news agency, Niamh Ni Bhriain, who coordinates the War and Pacification Program at the Transnational Institute, and Claudio Francavilla, associate EU advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, criticized the EU’s handling of the Gaza situation.

They described the bloc's political response as lacking, particularly given what they called “clear evidence of atrocity crimes” and considerable public outcry.

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