EU may be finally approaching ‘point of departure' on Gaza war
After 20 months of war that has seen tens of thousands of
Palestinians
killed, large parts of
Gaza
reduced to rubble and continued warnings about dire humanitarian conditions and possible famine, the
European Union
may finally be approaching a 'point of departure' in its relations with
Israel
, several diplomats say.
Throughout Israel's military campaign in Gaza the response of the EU to the conflict has been defined by its inability to agree on a response.
For a long period Spain and Ireland, as well as Belgium and Slovenia at times, were lonely outliers calling for the bloc to use what leverage it has to hold Israel accountable for the mounting deaths of Palestinian civilians.
More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's invasion of Gaza, which followed the October 7th, 2023 attacks by Hamas militants in southern Israel.
READ MORE
In a sign the tide of opinion had begun to shift against Israel, some 17 of the EU's 27 states last month backed a review into whether Israel's actions in Gaza had breached human rights commitments it signed up to, as part of an EU-Israel association agreement.
The agreement governing relations between the two has been in place since 2000. Crucially, it includes a free trade deal, which is economically valuable to Israel, given the EU is its biggest trading partner.
The EU review said
evidence 'indicates' Israel's actions in Gaza had breached its human rights obligations under the deal. Foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels on Monday to discuss the findings.
One big question mark is how
Israel's war with Iran
will shift the dynamics in the room when the doors close behind the ministers.
The Coalition of states who favour tougher consequences for Israel has grown to include Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal and
the Netherlands
.
The push to order a review of the EU-Israel deal was led by the Dutch, a traditional ally of Israel. The fact the move came from a government who previously sat in the middle ground of the debate probably convinced others to shift position. One of the union's two big powers, France, was also on board.
Just because 17 capitals voted in favour of a review taking place does not mean they will all agree about what should be done now.
'This group is not homogenous, there are those who would wish to see more immediate measures taken [and] those who still want to give Israel a chance to act,' one diplomat involved in negotiations said.
'It is clear that the grouping of 17 member states is not one big bloc ... I'm hopeful that most of that group will stay together,' another diplomat said.
Behind the scenes the Dutch are trying to keep the wide level of support intact, to secure a voting majority in support of some EU action to put pressure on Israel.
'We don't expect any decisions on Monday,' one EU diplomat said of the foreign ministers meeting.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs chief who chairs the meetings, will take soundings from the room about the findings of the review.
It is likely Ms Kallas will be asked to go away and prepare possible options to put on the table at the next meeting of foreign ministers on July 15th, several diplomatic sources said.
A group of nine states recently suggested the EU needs to do more to cut off trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the
West Bank
and other occupied Palestinian territories.
In a separate June 10th letter to Ms Kallas, the Swedish government said the EU should 'urgently' adopt sanctions targeting Israeli ministers who promote illegal settlements.
There had been signs that even Germany, one of Israel's biggest defenders, might be poised to change its position. That was before the fighting between Israel and Iran escalated so significantly.
Comments from German chancellor Friedrich Merz since then suggest the government is rowing in behind Israel, lowering the chances of Berlin supporting any EU penalties or sanction.
Hungary and the Czech Republic have consistently opposed the EU taking against Israel. That means suspending the EU-Israel agreement in full is off the table, given such a move would require the unanimous backing of all 27 states. Suspending elements of the deal may only require a majority.
One EU diplomat speculated recent strikes in Iran, which Israel justified as necessary to prevent Tehran developing nuclear weapons, should not divert the world's attention from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The EU should be careful not to 'fall into the trap' and totally shift its focus, the diplomat said.
Agnes Bertrand Sanz of aid charity Oxfam said the cost of inaction by the EU would be measured in lives. 'Homes flattened, hospitals destroyed and looming famine ... There is no time for more debate,' she said.
The cumbersome process of agreeing on a common foreign policy position in a union of 27 governments, means any EU decision to sanction Israel – if a decision is taken – probably remains weeks or even months away.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the US attacks on Iran: Trump's biggest gamble
Donald Trump's bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan has made the world a significantly more dangerous place. As UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres rightly warns, the strikes are a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.' He said there was 'a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.' Although Trump claims that the strikes have successfully 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear programme , their ostensible sole and arguably welcome purpose, it is clear that he does not now intend to disengage. Israel has, as it has hoped for some time, acquired a formidable partner whose continued commitment will be assured by Iran's inevitable retaliation at US targets. 'Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,' Trump warned. 'If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.' Israel's purpose, unlike the US, in launching its attack was never solely the disabling of the infrastructure of a nuclear weapons programme. Its objective, largely unstated, has always been the regime in Tehran itself. It has no intention of leaving the job half done. The leader of Israel's parliamentary opposition, Yair Lapid, a committed critic of prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, yesterday backed the US attack: 'It was the right and correct thing for Israel, Israeli security and global security. It's a good moment.' But rightly added that Israel should now aim to wrap up the war with Iran, saying that its 'main objectives had been achieved.' Netanyahu is unlikely to listen. READ MORE Regime change is likely to prove difficult with unpredictable consequences as the US should have learned in Afghanistan and Iraq. Although the US strikes are clearly in breach of international law, most western capitals while emphasising that they were not involved, and appealing for 'de-escalation', have dodged the issue to avoid antagonising Trump. Not so his Democratic opponents in the US, who are complaining bitterly that once again the president has ignored the constitutional limits of presidential power by usurping Congress's authority to declare war. Within the ranks of his MAGA movement sharp divisions are also opening up between those who signed up because of his promise to pull America out of all 'forever wars', and those who will back him whatever he does. And the polls are showing the president's performance rating sliding, By attacking Iran, Trump has taken a huge gamble in what is a defining moment for his presidency. The consequences are uncertain and the risks that it could all backfire are substantial.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Group of 15 Irish citizens evacuated from Israel
A group of 15 Irish citizens were successfully assisted in departing Israel on Sunday. They are expected to arrive in Ireland in the coming days after an EU partner organised their departure. The Department of Foreign Affairs asks Irish citizens in Iran and Israel to remain vigilant, to monitor developments and media, and to follow advice from the authorities, including when this is to shelter in place. Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris said: "Our Embassies will remain in close contact with all citizens in Israel and Iran over the days and weeks ahead. Our wider political work on the developing situation also continues." The Tánaiste said he spoke to Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on Sunday. He continued: "During the call, I expressed grave concern at the developments overnight, strongly urged restraint and shared the view that it was not in the interests of the Iranian people or the Middle East as a region for hostilities to escalate. "I stressed the importance of Iran engaging in formal processes to de-escalate and said there is eagerness on the part of the EU and the E3 countries to be helpful in relation to these processes and to remain engaged in dialogue at this key time. "Ireland's perspective on this matter comes from our long track record of support for nuclear disarmament, our recent role on the UN Security Council dealing with the Iran file and the strong belief that concerns about Iran's nuclear programme should be addressed through dialogue." The Tánaiste is due to meet his EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday to discuss the evolving situation. He added: "Our work to encourage dialogue, diplomacy and deescalation will continue."
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on planning in Ireland: vital clarity must be restored
An Coimisiún Pleanála was quietly ushered into existence last week. The Minster for Housing, James Browne, formally established the body which has taken of the role of An Bord Pleanála, the previous appeals body for planning applications. It had lost the confidence of the public and the previous government amidst serious governance failures and lengthy planning delays. The establishment of the new commission comes as a worrying sense of drift envelopes this Government's efforts to address the seemingly intractable shortage of housing. The lengthy gestation of the new body is in itself evidence of a seeming lack of urgency. The Planning and Development Bill which created it was was first brought before the Dáil in November 2023, but was only passed by the Oireachtas last October. That was an inexcusably long time, even allowing for committee debate. It took another six months for the minster to commence the section relating to the planning commission. Many other measures remain to be commenced. The costs of such delay are clear for all to see. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office - published last Friday - show that residential construction activity is falling. READ MORE Paul Reid, a former head of both Fingal County Council and the Health Service Executive has been appointed chairman of the governing body of the new commission. He would seem well qualified to meet the challenges of leading the new body. The biggest is restoring public, political and industry confidence in the speed and clarity of the planning process which rightly carries much of the blame for the housing shortage. The new statutory targets that have now been set for decisions on planning cases including critical infrastructure projects for transport, water, grid and energy as well large-scale residential developments , need to be met. For that to happen the new body will have to get the resources it needs when it needs them. If it doesn't, then the new commission risks being seen as little more than old wine in a new bottle.
