Later this month, European Union foreign ministers are set to engage in formal discussions regarding a proposal to reassess the EU’s trade agreement with Israel, in light of the latter’s actions during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as stated by the bloc’s leading diplomat on Thursday.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with a prominent aid organization forced to close its community soup kitchens due to a lack of supplies and an ongoing blockade preventing the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Simultaneously, the situation in Gaza is poised to evolve, as Israeli military leadership has announced intentions to “expand and intensify our operations” in the region.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed significant frustration among member states over their inability to halt the violence, following informal discussions with foreign ministers in Poland. The relationship between the EU and Israel, two key trading partners, is governed by an Association Agreement that emphasizes the importance of human rights and democratic values.
The Dutch government has announced its intention to suspend the agreement pending an EU evaluation of Israel’s adherence to the terms of the pact, which has been in effect since 2000. Kallas confirmed that this matter would be addressed during discussions scheduled for May 20.
