EU Considers Measures Against Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
European Council President António Costa indicates potential penalties for Israel as human rights assessments are underway.
In a significant development regarding international relations, European Council President António Costa has highlighted that the European Union (EU) is contemplating measures against Israel amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Costa described the situation in Gaza as 'completely unacceptable' and announced that the EU’s diplomatic service is assessing whether Israel has met its international human rights obligations.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has been tasked with reviewing the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel, which emphasizes respect for human rights and democratic principles as essential elements of cooperation.
This assessment is particularly pertinent following calls from a coalition of 17 EU member states, led by the Netherlands, pushing for a review of Israel's compliance with these obligations.
The results of this review are expected to be presented at a foreign affairs ministers' meeting scheduled for June 23.
Diplomatic sources indicate that there is growing pressure on the European Commission to propose measures that could lead to a downgrading of ties with Israel, particularly in trade, if it is determined that Israel is in breach of its commitments under the agreement.
Historically supportive nations of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, including Germany, have recently expressed criticism regarding the situation in Gaza and the expansion of West Bank settlements.
Diplomats conveyed that there is a shifting sentiment within the EU regarding its response to the situation in Gaza.
One diplomat noted that the dynamic has changed significantly, with increasing demands from various capitals for a list of possible actions.
While altering the Association Agreement would necessitate unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states, a challenge given potential opposition from countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic, officials are exploring alternative strategies.
Such alternatives may involve scaling back aspects of the agreement that could be enacted with a qualified majority vote.
Costa emphasized the need for measured deliberation, stating, 'We should wait for the assessment and then discuss what kind of decision we want to take and what kind of majority we need to take the decision.'
Costa described the situation in Gaza as 'completely unacceptable' and announced that the EU’s diplomatic service is assessing whether Israel has met its international human rights obligations.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has been tasked with reviewing the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel, which emphasizes respect for human rights and democratic principles as essential elements of cooperation.
This assessment is particularly pertinent following calls from a coalition of 17 EU member states, led by the Netherlands, pushing for a review of Israel's compliance with these obligations.
The results of this review are expected to be presented at a foreign affairs ministers' meeting scheduled for June 23.
Diplomatic sources indicate that there is growing pressure on the European Commission to propose measures that could lead to a downgrading of ties with Israel, particularly in trade, if it is determined that Israel is in breach of its commitments under the agreement.
Historically supportive nations of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, including Germany, have recently expressed criticism regarding the situation in Gaza and the expansion of West Bank settlements.
Diplomats conveyed that there is a shifting sentiment within the EU regarding its response to the situation in Gaza.
One diplomat noted that the dynamic has changed significantly, with increasing demands from various capitals for a list of possible actions.
While altering the Association Agreement would necessitate unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states, a challenge given potential opposition from countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic, officials are exploring alternative strategies.
Such alternatives may involve scaling back aspects of the agreement that could be enacted with a qualified majority vote.
Costa emphasized the need for measured deliberation, stating, 'We should wait for the assessment and then discuss what kind of decision we want to take and what kind of majority we need to take the decision.'
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