Latest news with #EU-Israel
Middle East Eye
11 hours ago
- Business
- Middle East Eye
EU review finds Israel violated trade agreement, but sanctions not expected
A major upcoming review of the EU-Israel trade agreement has found that Israel has violated the agreement due to its conduct in Gaza, Middle East Eye understands. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas commissioned the review last month in response to a request by the Dutch government. Now MEE understands from diplomatic sources in Brussels that the review finds that Israel has violated the trade agreement's human rights and international law clauses. The EU is Israel's biggest trading partner. Sources told MEE the review contains evidence that Israel has breached international humanitarian law during its war on Gaza. They said that Kallas will present the review to EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Diplomats expect a "difficult" debate and believe there will be no agreement reached on whether to "suspend political dialogue" or impose sanctions on Israel. Those issues will be addressed again at the 15 July meeting of EU foreign ministers, diplomats believe. MEE also understands that Kallas has a mandate from EU foreign ministers to push for de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran - and that she is set to visit the Middle East next week. MEE has contacted Kallas' team for comment. Israel has gone 'beyond self-defence' Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany are reportedly scheduled to join Kallas on Friday in a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister to promote de-escalation. EUObserver and RTE have also reported the review is expected to find Israel violated the trade agreement. EU Commission and states indirectly fund Israeli military industry, report says Read More » On Wednesday Kallas told members of the European parliament that Israel's "blocking food... goes beyond self-defence". She said Israel was responsible for "disproportionate use of force" against civilians - and that "if it was up to me, personally", the EU would impose sanctions on Israel. Last week it emerged that Israel's largest state-owned defence company, which is directly involved in the war on Gaza, has received millions of euros in EU defence funding. According to a report published last Wednesday by Investigate Europe, the French newsroom Disclose and the Greek outlet Reporters United, Intracom Defense is currently involved in 15 European Defence Fund projects worth at least €15m (around $17.5m). Seven of them were awarded after Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. The company was acquired by Israel Aerospace Industries in May 2023.
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Ireland among nine countries demanding EU discontinue trade with illegal Israeli settlements
Ireland has joined eight other countries in writing to the EU Commission demanding urgent action to "effectively discontinue" trade with illegal Israeli settlements. It comes as Tánaiste Simon Harris is due to bring a draft scheme of the Occupied Territories Bill to Cabinet next week with the aim of having it scrutinised by politicians before the Dáil summer recess. Confirming that the Government has joined several EU countries on Thursday to deliver "a clear message" to the European Commission, Mr Harris said: "We now urgently need proposals at EU level to effectively discontinue trade with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territory." It is expected that a review of the EU-Israel trade agreement, which had been undertaken following a request by the Dutch government, could be published as early as tomorrow ahead of a crunch meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. However, there is now a concern among some members states, including Ireland, that taking action or imposing any trade sanctions could be delayed. Mr Harris along with his counterparts in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden have now signed a joint letter asking the European Commission to examine how trade in goods and services linked to illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory can be brought into line with international law. This follows the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly states that third countries must refrain from any trade or investment that helps sustain an illegal situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Belgium foreign affairs minister, Maxime Prevot, said: "Upholding international law is a shared responsibility. In a rules-based international order, legal clarity must guide political choices. A united European approach can help ensure that our policies reflect our values."
Middle East Eye
13 hours ago
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Exclusive: EU review finds Israel violated trade agreement, but sanctions not expected
A major upcoming review of the EU-Israel trade agreement has found that Israel has violated the agreement due to its conduct in Gaza, Middle East Eye understands. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas commissioned the review last month in response to a request by the Dutch government. Now MEE understands from diplomatic sources in Brussels that the review finds that Israel has violated the trade agreement's human rights and international law clauses. The EU is Israel's biggest trading partner. Sources told MEE the review contains evidence that Israel has breached international humanitarian law during its war on Gaza. They said that Kallas will present the review to EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Diplomats expect a "difficult" debate and believe there will be no agreement reached on whether to "suspend political dialogue" or impose sanctions on Israel. Those issues will be addressed again at the 15 July meeting of EU foreign ministers, diplomats believe. MEE also understands that Kallas has a mandate from EU foreign ministers to push for de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran - and that she is set to visit the Middle East next week. MEE has contacted Kallas' team for comment. Israel has gone 'beyond self-defence' Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany are reportedly scheduled to join Kallas on Friday in a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister to promote de-escalation. EUObserver and RTE have also reported the review is expected to find Israel violated the trade agreement. EU Commission and states indirectly fund Israeli military industry, report says Read More » On Wednesday Kallas told members of the European parliament that Israel's "blocking food... goes beyond self-defence". She said Israel was responsible for "disproportionate use of force" against civilians - and that "if it was up to me, personally", the EU would impose sanctions on Israel. Last week it emerged that Israel's largest state-owned defence company, which is directly involved in the war on Gaza, has received millions of euros in EU defence funding. According to a report published last Wednesday by Investigate Europe, the French newsroom Disclose and the Greek outlet Reporters United, Intracom Defense is currently involved in 15 European Defence Fund projects worth at least €15m (around $17.5m). Seven of them were awarded after Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. The company was acquired by Israel Aerospace Industries in May 2023.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Iran conflict to derail EU review of Israeli association agreement
BRUSSELS — The EU is unlikely to suspend its association agreement with Israel in the context of its current conflict with Iran, sources familiar with the issue have told Euronews. Last month a majority of the EU foreign ministers backed a Dutch proposal to review the bloc's ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza. The EU's diplomatic corps, the External Action Service (EEAS), has been reviewing the bloc's wide-ranging trade and cooperation agreement with Israel over its military offensive in Gaza and the West Bank as well as its blocking of food, fuel, water and basic medical supplies to the besieged population. The report was initiated to establish whether Israel violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a broad-ranging pact that defines the trading and diplomatic relations between both sides. On Monday, EU foreign ministers will debate the review, with several EU diplomatic sources saying it expected to find Israel in breach of the provisions. But two sources familiar with the issue told Euronews that member states will not respond by suspending in all, or even part the agreement with Israel due to its conflict with countries remain keen to push for a suspension. 'We can safely assume what the review will say; if it's going to be in any way credible it'll say Israel is in breach of Article 2,' an EU diplomat from a country which supported the review told Euronews, adding: 'The main matter of business is getting a ceasefire in Gaza – and whatever we decide to do, it should be aimed at getting at that.'But a momentum of pressure recently applied to Israel has now slowed due to the conflict with Iran, the two sources said.'The pendulum has swung back to [support for] Israel."'It's unlikely the EU will suspend EU-Israel agreement due to Iran Israel war,' one of the sources position of Germany in the negotiations is also critical to the discussions as a decision to suspend part of the agreement under qualified majority voting will require the weight of month German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shifted the support of Germany — traditionally a stalwart ally of Israel —behind the decision to review the Association Agreement, saying he no longer understood the Israeli army's goal in Gaza.'To harm the civilian population in such a way... can no longer be justified as a fight against terrorism,' Merz said at the Merz has strongly supported Israel in the context of the current strikes on Iran saying at the G7 on Tuesday that 'Israel is doing the dirty work for the rest of us'.'The strikes on Iran should be additional pressure on Israel to suspend the association agreement,' Martin Konecny, who heads the European Middle East Project, told Euronews.'But now it could create the opposite, it will literally be reduced and it brings the attention away from Gaza,' he foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has reiterated EU calls for a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict. And again called on all sides to 'abide by international law, and de-escalate the situation'.'We will not lose sight of what is happening in Gaza... we again call for immediate full aid access, ceasefire, and the release of hostages,' she rejected the EU decision to review the bloc's trade and cooperation pact with the country over its intensified offensive in Gaza."We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing," Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said on X at the time of the decision. — Euronews
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Iran conflict to derail EU review of Israeli Association agreement
The EU is unlikely to suspend its association agreement with Israel in the context of its current conflict with Iran, sources familiar with the issue have told Euronews. Last month a majority of the EU foreign ministers backed a Dutch proposal to review the bloc's ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza. The EU's diplomatic corps, the External Action Service (EEAS), has been reviewing the bloc's wide-ranging trade and cooperation agreement with Israel over its military offensive in Gaza and the West Bank as well as its blocking of food, fuel, water and basic medical supplies to the besieged population. The report was initiated to establish whether Israel violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a broad-ranging pact that defines the trading and diplomatic relations between both sides. On Monday, EU foreign ministers will debate the review, with several EU diplomatic sources saying it expected to find Israel in breach of the provisions. But two sources familiar with the issue told Euronews that member states will not respond by suspending in all, or even part the agreement with Israel due to its war with Iran. Some countries remain keen to push for a suspension. 'We can safely assume what the review will say; if it's going to be in any way credible it'll say Israel is in breach of Article 2,' an EU diplomat from a country which supported the review told Euronews, adding: 'The main matter of business is getting a ceasefire in Gaza – and whatever we decide to do, it should be aimed at getting at that.' But a momentum of pressure recently applied to Israel has now slowed due to the war with Iran, the two sources said. 'The pendulum has swing back to [support for] Israel." 'It's unlikely the EU will suspend EU-Israel agreement due to Iran Israel war,' one of the sources said. The position of Germany in the negotiations is also critical to the discussions as a decision to suspend part of the agreement under qualified majority voting will require the weight of Germany. Last month German chancellor Friedrich Merz shifted the support of Germany - traditionally a stalwart ally of Israel - behind the decision to review the Association Agreement, saying he no longer understood the Israeli army's goal in Gaza. 'To harm the civilian population in such a way… can no longer be justified as a fight against terrorism,' Merz said at the time. However, Merz has strongly supported Israel in the context of the current strikes on Iran saying at the G7 on Tuesday that 'Israel is doing the dirty work for the rest of us'. 'The strikes on Iran should be additional pressure on Israel to suspend the association agreement,' Martin Konecki, who heads the European Middle East Project, told Euronews. 'But now it could create the opposite, it will literally be reduced and it brings the attention away from Gaza,' he said. EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has reiterated EU calls for a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Iran war. And again called on all sides to 'abide by international law, and de-escalate the situation'. 'We will not lose sight of what is happening in Gaza... we again call for immediate full aid access, ceasefire, and the release of hostages,' she added. Israel rejected the EU decision to review the bloc's trade and cooperation pact with the country over its intensified offensive in Gaza. "We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing," Marmorstein wrote on X,' Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said at the time of the decision. The EU's so-called Equal Treatment directive — aimed at extending protection against discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation — has reached a dead end, several EU officials told Euronews. First proposed by the European Commission in 2008, the anti-discrimination bill has remained stalled in the European Council, despite progress in the European Parliament. The Council, which represents the 27 EU member states, has been unable to reach a consensus for years. In February, the EU executive removed the proposal from its work programme for 2025, arguing that it was blocked and "further progress was unlikely". The draft bill was added to those to be withdrawn within six months, prompting the Polish presidency of the Council to try to reach an agreement under time pressure, but to no avail. 'While a very large majority of delegations has long supported the Directive, [...], certain others have expressed concerns and requested clarifications as relating to the perceived lack of legal certainty, the division of competences and compliance with the principle of subsidiarity, and the impact of the proposal, in particular in terms of potential financial implications,' reads a Council document seen by Euronews, sent by the presidency to member states on 6 June. According to an impact assessment by the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS), around three-quarters of EU citizens would potentially benefit from the directive's protection, while implementation costs would remain 'within acceptable limits'. However, three member states — Czechia, Germany, and Italy — still oppose the draft compromise text, which requires unanimous support from all 27 countries before negotiations can begin with the Parliament and the Commission to finalise the bill. 'In the absence of any additional drafting suggestions from the Member States with outstanding concerns, the Presidency has not been able to propose a new compromise text,' reads another leaked document from the same date, also seen by Euronews. The Equal Treatment directive is expected to be discussed during a meeting of EU ministers responsible for social policy on Thursday. They will hold a policy debate on whether a compromise is within reach and whether there is a need for an alternative proposal. The six-month Polish presidency of the Council ends later this month, and while the Danish presidency will try to continue working on the file from July, several EU officials claim that reaching an agreement remains very 'unlikely'. An EU diplomat described the pursuit of a compromise as 'thorny', pointing to the Commission's continued interest in withdrawing the proposal — a move some member states also support. Instead, the Commission plans to focus on non-legislative initiatives in 2025, such as the already unveiled roadmap on women's rights and the forthcoming strategies on LGBTIQ rights and anti-racism — a shift that has drawn criticism from NGOs and civil society organisations. 'Roadmaps are not laws; they are political statements with no enforceable protections,' argued Julie Pascoët, policy manager at the European Network Against Racism (ENAR). 'For these strategies to be effective, the EU must use them to highlight the urgent need for stronger legislation and concrete action,' Pascoët added. The 2008 anti-discrimination bill aimed to close critical protection gaps in areas such as social protection (including social security and healthcare), education, and access to goods and services, including housing. 'Whilst it is extremely disappointing that the Commission goes along with the global political trend against equality policies, the unacceptable fact is that a small group of countries, led by Germany, have been blocking the adoption of this directive for 17 years,' Alejandro Moledo, deputy director at the European Disability Forum, told Euronews. According to the latest EU survey, more than half of respondents said there is widespread discrimination in their country on the basis of being Roma (65%), skin colour (61%), ethnic origin (60%), gender identity (being transgender – 57%), or sexual orientation (54%).
