EU Considers Revising Relationship with Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
Seventeen EU member states support Spain's proposal to reassess the Association Agreement with Israel over human rights concerns.
The European Union (EU) is contemplating a significant shift in its relationship with Israel as tensions rise due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a substantial majority of member states have called for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which came into effect in 2000. This agreement encompasses diplomatic relations, political dialogue, and trade.
In light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the aim is to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the region.
Seventeen countries, including some traditionally supportive of Israel such as Austria, have shown support for this proposal.
Notably absent from this group is Germany.
The European Commission is now tasked with developing a proposal to determine which aspects of the agreement might be suspended.
On Monday, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Luxembourg jointly sent a letter to Kaja Kallas advocating for this reassessment, citing violations of Article 2 of the agreement, which emphasizes respect for human rights.
They characterized the situation in Gaza as "unsustainable, unbearable, and inhumane."
Over a year ago, Spain and Ireland had submitted a similar request, but it failed to gain sufficient backing from other European capitals or the Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen.
However, the recent meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 member states highlighted a growing number of nations in favor of action, many supporting Spain's initiative, albeit with varying degrees of emphasis.
Countries like the Netherlands and France, while not signatories of the current letter, have also indicated a desire to reassess the Association Agreement.
"The European Union must act, using all the tools at its disposal to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt this war and allow humanitarian aid without impediment," stated José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Foreign Minister.
This recent move marks a victory for pro-active advocates within the EU, such as Spain and Ireland.
On November 18, the EU had previously rejected calls to suspend political dialogue with Israel due to human rights violations in Gaza.
At that time, the proposal put forward by the then Chief Diplomat of the EU, Josep Borrell, lacked support from member states.
Borrell had previously warned, "History will judge us all, all of us."
The dynamics of the EU-Israel relationship appear complicated.
Israel accounts for approximately 0.8% of the EU's total goods trade globally in 2024, making it the third most significant trading partner in the Mediterranean region, following Morocco and Algeria.
Conversely, the EU remains Israel's largest trading partner, representing 32% of its total trade.
In 2024, the EU imported goods worth €15.9 billion from Israel, primarily comprising machinery and transport equipment (€7 billion, 43.9%), chemicals (€2.9 billion, 18%), and other manufactured products (€1.9 billion, 12.1%).
Total trade between the EU and Israel reached €42.6 billion in 2024.
According to Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a substantial majority of member states have called for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which came into effect in 2000. This agreement encompasses diplomatic relations, political dialogue, and trade.
In light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the aim is to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the region.
Seventeen countries, including some traditionally supportive of Israel such as Austria, have shown support for this proposal.
Notably absent from this group is Germany.
The European Commission is now tasked with developing a proposal to determine which aspects of the agreement might be suspended.
On Monday, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Luxembourg jointly sent a letter to Kaja Kallas advocating for this reassessment, citing violations of Article 2 of the agreement, which emphasizes respect for human rights.
They characterized the situation in Gaza as "unsustainable, unbearable, and inhumane."
Over a year ago, Spain and Ireland had submitted a similar request, but it failed to gain sufficient backing from other European capitals or the Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen.
However, the recent meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 member states highlighted a growing number of nations in favor of action, many supporting Spain's initiative, albeit with varying degrees of emphasis.
Countries like the Netherlands and France, while not signatories of the current letter, have also indicated a desire to reassess the Association Agreement.
"The European Union must act, using all the tools at its disposal to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt this war and allow humanitarian aid without impediment," stated José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Foreign Minister.
This recent move marks a victory for pro-active advocates within the EU, such as Spain and Ireland.
On November 18, the EU had previously rejected calls to suspend political dialogue with Israel due to human rights violations in Gaza.
At that time, the proposal put forward by the then Chief Diplomat of the EU, Josep Borrell, lacked support from member states.
Borrell had previously warned, "History will judge us all, all of us."
The dynamics of the EU-Israel relationship appear complicated.
Israel accounts for approximately 0.8% of the EU's total goods trade globally in 2024, making it the third most significant trading partner in the Mediterranean region, following Morocco and Algeria.
Conversely, the EU remains Israel's largest trading partner, representing 32% of its total trade.
In 2024, the EU imported goods worth €15.9 billion from Israel, primarily comprising machinery and transport equipment (€7 billion, 43.9%), chemicals (€2.9 billion, 18%), and other manufactured products (€1.9 billion, 12.1%).
Total trade between the EU and Israel reached €42.6 billion in 2024.
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