Latest news with #Kallas
Leaders
9 hours ago
- Business
- Leaders
9 EU Countries Call for Ending Trade with Israeli Settlements
Nine European Union (EU) member states have demanded the European Commission to propose measures to end trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden made the request, addressing the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. Halting Trade The nine countries asked the bloc to come up with proposals on how to halt trade with the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ advisory opinion stated that Israel's settlements and occupation of Palestinian territories are in violation of international law. It also urged states to take actions to suspend trade or investment ties that could contribute to sustaining this situation. A Call for Action In their letter to Kallas, the ministers urged the EU to act towards concrete measures to ensure the bloc's adherence with the ICJ's rulings. 'We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements,' the ministers said in the letter. 'We need the European Commission to develop proposals for concrete measures to ensure compliance by the Union with the obligations identified by the Court,' the letter added. EU-Israeli Trade According to the European Commission data, the EU is Israel's largest trading partner, accounting for 32% of Israel's total trade in goods in 2024. The bloc was the source of 34.2% of Israel's imports and the recipient of 28.8% of the country's exports. In 2024, the total trade in goods between the EU and Israel reached €42.6 billion. The top traded goods between the EU and Israel included machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, and other manufactured goods. Reassessing Ties The relations between the EU and Israel are governed by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which came into effect in 2000 and has since regulated the relations between the bloc and Israel across various fields. The Association Agreement also states that relations between both sides should be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. The foreign ministers letter came ahead of a meeting in Brussels on June 23, 2025, which will discuss the bloc's relations with Israel. The meeting will take place upon the request of EU ministers who demanded a review of the Association Agreement in May in light of the 'catastrophic situation' in Gaza. During the meeting, the ministers will receive an assessment on whether Israel is complying with a human rights clause in its agreement with the EU. Compliance with International Law Commenting on the letter, the Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, noted that the EU must ensure that the bloc's trade policies are in compliance with the international law. 'Trade cannot be disconnected from our legal and moral responsibilities,' he told Reuters. 'This is about ensuring that EU policies do not contribute, directly or indirectly, to the perpetuation of an illegal situation,' he added. In May 2025, Israel announced plans to establish 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a controversial move backed by the Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, and Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich. Israel has built about 160 settlements, housing some 700,000 Jews, since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, according to BBC. The international law deems settlements illegal. However, successive Israeli governments have allowed settlements to expand, most notably since the return of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to power in late 2022. Short link : Post Views: 1
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin MEP calls on EU official to apologise over Irish comments
An Irish MEP has asked the EU's most senior foreign affairs official to apologise for suggesting Ireland's policy of neutrality is in part due to Ireland not having a modern-day understanding of "atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of culture and language". European Commission vice president and high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, made the remarks during a debate on an upcoming NATO meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in France. Responding to a discussion which involved various views on NATO, conflicts including Russia's war in Ukraine and whether the EU needs to increase defence spending, Ms Kallas, who is from Estonia, said: "I do want to address our Irish colleagues. I mean, yes, peace doesn't mean that human suffering will stop. "If, you know, you surrender and you have the aggressor and you say okay take all that you want, it doesn't mean that the human suffering will stop. "Our experience behind the Iron Curtain [the de facto border between East and West during the cold war], after the Second World War countries like Ireland got to build up their prosperity, but for us it meant atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of culture and language. "This is what happens. It is also peace, but it's actually not freedom, freedom of choice for people, and that is what an EU is all about, and that is what we are fighting for." In a statement today, Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion said: "I was astonished by Leas-Uachtarán Kallas's remarks, which displayed a clear lack of understanding of Ireland's history. "In my speech, I underlined Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality, which was shaped by our own experience of colonialism and struggle for self-determination. "Vice President Kallas's suggestion that Ireland simply prospered in the post-war period without trauma or oppression is deeply inaccurate and dismissive of our island's experience. "Ireland too endured atrocities, from the Ballymurphy massacre to Bloody Sunday, where innocent civilians were shot and killed by British soldiers. "Our people suffered internment without trial, and widespread discrimination in housing and employment, particularly in the North. "Furthermore, the suppression of Irish language and culture has been an ongoing battle, as evidenced by the decades-long campaign for an Irish Language Act in the North. "Vice President Kallas's comments were ill-advised and deeply insensitive to the experiences of Irish communities still seeking justice to this day," she said. The Sinn Féin MEP continued that she has written to Ms Kallas's office "asking her to withdraw her remarks".
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.
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.
Al-Ahram Weekly
16 hours ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, EU top diplomats discuss efforts to de-escalate Israel-Iran conflict - Foreign Affairs
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed on Thursday in a phone call with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas the escalating tensions in the Middle East and urgent efforts to de-escalate the military standoff between Israel and Iran. During the call, Abdelatty briefed the EU official on Egypt's diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict, securing a ceasefire, and resuming negotiations, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized that dialogue remains the sole path to a sustainable agreement on Iran's nuclear programme and to avoid a wider regional conflict. Minister Abdelatty underscored the need for continued European engagement in these de-escalation and negotiation efforts. Kallas' call with Abdelatty precedes her anticipated nuclear talks with the Iranian foreign minister in Geneva on Friday, alongside the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain. Media reports suggest that Kallas and the E3's meeting with Iran's top diplomat will address the latest developments and urge Iran to return to the negotiation table. The aerial conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its seventh day, began after Tel Aviv launched an air campaign against Tehran on Friday, claiming that Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Furthermore, Abdelatty outlined Egypt's collaborative efforts with Qatar and the US to reinstate a ceasefire in the war-ravaged Gaza and facilitate the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid. He urged the EU to provide essential humanitarian support to address the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza caused by Israel's starvation policy, the statement added. FM Abdelatty further stressed the importance of advancing a political resolution for the Palestinian cause, advocating for establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution as the only viable route to regional stability. Egypt-EU partnership During a recent call, Abdelatty welcomed the European Parliament's final approval of the second tranche of the EU's financial support package for Egypt, worth 4 billion euros. This tranche is part of a larger 5 billion euro budget support package that was agreed upon in March 2024 following the Joint Declaration on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership between Egypt and the EU in Cairo. The European support package, signed by both parties in 2024, totals approximately 7.4 billion euros and will be disbursed by 2027. The package comprises 5 billion euros in budget support, 1.8 billion euros in investment guarantees for European and Egyptian companies investing in Egypt, and approximately 600 million euros for training, technical assistance, and capacity building. Abdelatty expressed appreciation for Kallas and the EU's foreign service's efforts, describing this approval as a testament to the commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU. He also reiterated Egypt's commitment to implementing this strategic partnership's various pillars. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
