Over 250 Parliamentarians from 17 EU countries called for the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel citing Israel`s breaches of the art 2, so called `human rights` clause of the treaty.
`In over a year, Israeli forces have killed over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza (including 17,000 children), injured 100,000, and displaced nearly all of the occupied area’s population, while denying the access of food, water, medicine and basic necessities for survival leading to a catastrophic humanitarian situation, starvation, famine and the spread of disease.`they said in the letter.
The signatories are particularly concerned about the European Commission’s `failure to act` as a Guardian of the Treaty in ensuring the full and consistent implementation of existing EU legislation, in the context of the ICJ Advisory Opinion, ICJ ruling stating the plausibility that Israel is carrying out acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. as well as relevant UN resolutions and reports.
`Respect for human rights constitutes an “essential element” of the EU Association Agreements with partner countries, including Israel. In February of last year Ireland and Spain formally requested the EC to review and suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement in light of Israel’s breaches of Article 2. Until now, there has been no reply from the European Commission in this regard` said the letter.
“While we welcome the news about the ceasefire, we would like to emphasise the need for continued international pressure leading to long and lasting peace as well as accountability as stipulated in the ICJ AO, relevant UN resolutions and reports.` parliamentarians say.
The letter comes ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled to take place in Brussels on January 27th as well as the EU-Israel Association Council meeting planned for February 25th and amid growing frustration concerning the European Commission`s inaction.
On January 20th, a group of 34 European trade unions, including big confederations denounced European Commission’s failure to act in assessing Israel`s compliance with art 2, so called `human rights`clause of the Association Agreement with Israel. A coalition of over 200 European NGOs and trade unions launched a campaign in September 2024 calling for the suspension of the Association Agreement with Israel.