EU to Review Trade Agreement with Israel Amid Gaza Crisis

 

EU to Review Trade Agreement with Israel Amid Gaza Crisis

The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced that the EU will review its trade agreement with Israel due to the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza. A strong majority of EU foreign ministers, 17 out of 27 member states, have backed this decision.

The review will assess Israel's compliance with its obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, specifically regarding human rights and democratic principles. This agreement has governed trade relations between the EU and Israel since June 2000.

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Kallas emphasized the need for immediate and unobstructed aid to Gaza, stating that the current aid allowed by Israel is "a drop in the ocean". Furthermore, EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers have been prepared but are being blocked by one unnamed member state.

The EU-Israel Association Agreement has facilitated significant trade between the two parties, with total trade in goods amounting to €42.6 billion in 2024. Amnesty International has called for a meaningful review, emphasizing the need to ban trade and investment that could contribute to genocide and other grave violations of international law.