EU must act on Israel human rights violations

The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Ministers met in Brussels to discuss the conclusions of the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, requested by High Representative Kaja Kallas, that indicates that Israel has violated several provisions of the Agreement’s Article 2.

Article 2 of the Association Agreement clearly establishes that bilateral relations "shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles," constituting an "essential element" of the treaty.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) review documents multiple serious violations, including the blockade of humanitarian aid, military strikes against hospitals, forced displacement of Palestinian populations and arbitrary detentions. In light of these documented violations, the Renew Europe Group calls on the Council to activate Article 79 of the Association Agreement. This provision sets out measures applicable when a party fails to fulfill its obligations, particularly regarding human rights.

We also call on the Israeli government to urgently take action on the report's findings, including restoring access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, ceasing the bombing of hospitals and medical facilities and the forced displacement of people, and ending mass arrests and degrading treatment of prisoners.

"The European Union cannot turn a blind eye to such grave violations of fundamental rights. Our values and international credibility are at stake," states Renew MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open VLD, Belgium), coordinator for the foreign affairs committee.

On the outcome of the EU foreign affairs Council, Hilde Vautmans comments :

“We expect the announced dialogue with Israel on its compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement to be firm and results-oriented. This cannot become the start of an open-ended, never-ending conversation.

The talks regarding the legal review must serve as a lever, not just for diplomatic engagement, but for urgent action and tangible change on the ground. That means: immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, an end to civilian suffering — including the release of hostages — and the full restoration of respect for international humanitarian law. We must see immediate, concrete, and far-reaching improvements, both in Gaza and in the West Bank.

What we are witnessing in Gaza today is not just a human tragedy. It is a collective failure of us, the international community. If nothing changes in the very short term, targeted EU sanctions become unavoidable: against responsible government officials, against those blocking humanitarian aid, against the financiers of illegal settlements.”