Brussels (EFE) – The European Union (EU) decided Tuesday to review the bloc’s relations with Israel over the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza.
“It is clear from today’s discussions that there is a strong majority in favor of a review of article 2 of our Association Agreement with Israel,” the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, told reporters in Brussels.
The EU’s decision followed a vote by member states on Tuesday, with 17 of the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers backing the review proposed by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
The bloc will now have to determine whether Israel violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade and diplomatic relations between both sides.
One of the issues raised on Tuesday was Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza.
“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The aid that Israel has allowed in is, of course, welcomed, but it’s a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, because this is what is needed,” Kallas told reporters.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Luxembourg had also written to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs asking for a review of Article 2.
Nine member states – Belgium, Finland, , Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden – had publicly backed the Dutch proposal before Tuesday’s meeting.
Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia also backed the review on Tuesday, according to diplomatic sources.
A proposal for further sanctions against Israeli settlers responsible for violence in the West Bank was presented Tuesday and backed by 26 of the 27 member states, but vetoed by Hungary. EFE
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