Luxembourg: Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland have called on the European Union to consider suspending its association agreement with Israel, citing deteriorating conditions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon. The move comes as the countries push for the EU to take a more active role in addressing the situation, which they believe the bloc can no longer ignore.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced that the three nations have formally requested the inclusion of this issue on the agenda for the upcoming EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. Albares emphasized the importance of the EU aligning with the International Court of Justice and the United Nations on human rights and international law, warning that failure to do so would signify a loss for the EU.
In a letter addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the governments of Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland highlighted actions by Israel that they argue contravene human rights and international laws, thus breaching the 1995 association agreement that governs EU-Israel political, economic, and trade relations. The letter expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pointing to violations of the ceasefire and inadequate aid delivery as pressing issues.
The correspondence further detailed the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers and military operations have led to civilian casualties. The letter claims that settlers act with impunity, exacerbating the tensions in the region.