EU has its hands tied on Israel trade suspension unless leaders find common ground
reports from Brussels
THE SUSPENSION OF trade between European countries and Israel cannot happen unless conclusive and unanimous changes are made to EU foreign policy.
On Monday, it was announced that a review had found that Israel breached human rights obligations included in its trade deal with the EU with its actions in Gaza and the West Bank in Palestine.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels yesterday, Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said that the commission cannot take stronger action unless leaders at the European Council reach a consensus, which he said is not possible in the current climate.
Pressure has been mounting on European leaders to take more action against Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed almost 56,000 people – mostly civilians – since October 2023, and the European Commission has been accused of inaction.
A third of Israel's imports come from the EU, valued at over €23bn annually, while Europe imports less than 1% of its goods from Israel.
Suspending trade ties would require a unanimous decision, which is likely impossible as countries like Austria, Germany and Hungary, that tend to more supportive of Israel's government.
McGrath, referencing the council of leaders' role in setting the EU's foreign policy agenda, said: 'Ultimately, any proposal by the commission is subject to agreement from the European Council.
Advertisement
'At this point in time, based on discussions of the public positions of the member states, consensus is not there in relation to action being taken, arising from the provisions of the [trade deal].'
Pressure has been mounting on the EU to take action on Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed over 56,000 civilians and led to a complete siege on the region for more than two months, and has been slammed for months over its perceived inaction.
Foreign ministers on Monday
were criticised when they could not reach a consensus over the trade review
. McGrath said the commission cannot change EU foreign policy unless given directions for government leaders and ministers from member states.
'Article 24 of the Treaty of Europe is quite clear, the primary actor in relation to foreign policy is the European Council, and it acts on the basis of unanimity,' he said. 'It isn't open for the European Commission to set any new position on Israel and Gaza.'
Trade with Israel will reappear on the European agenda at the next leaders' summit in Brussels in July. In the meantime, the EU has stated to engage with Israel's government to outline the review's findings.
Foreign affairs minister Simon Harris welcomed the review's findings, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for concrete action to be taken following its publication.
Ireland was among ten member states who requested that a review take place in the context of the EU's compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice.
The non-binding advisory opinion found that 'Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and needs to be brought to an end as rapidly as possible'.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Stakeholder group meets amid 'heightened uncertainty' around derogation
The Better Farming for Water Stakeholder Steering Group met in Teagasc Oak Park in Co. Carlow this week, amid "heightened uncertainty" around the nitrates derogation. The meeting discussed the emergent policy situation in relation to the "more intense linkage" between the Nitrates Directive and the Habitats Directive as Ireland engages with the European Commission to retain its derogation. According to Teagasc, the committee acknowledged the "heightened uncertainty of the current policy position for farm families", while "unanimously acknowledging their considerable commitment and actions in delivering improved water quality". "As further evidence, 3,895 farmer applications have been made to the €50 million Farming for Water EIP Fund, including a substantial number of applications by grain growers for the planting of catch crops to take up nitrogen over the winter period," Teagasc said. "The committee reaffirmed its belief that achievement of the objective of good, or high ecological status in our waterbodies is fundamental to retaining Ireland's derogation and compliance with the Habitats Directive and to maintaining the reputation for sustainability that Irish food enjoys. "It is clear that responsibility for this objective rests with 'all farmers' regardless of farm enterprise and not just 'derogation farmers'." The current challenge from the European Commission is for Ireland to "provide clarity and assurances on compliance" with the Habitats Directive in the granting of derogations as part of its application for continuance of the facility, Teagasc said. Jim Bergin, chair of the stakeholder steering group - which is comprised of representatives from Teagasc, government, farm organisations and more - said members "unanimously agree that a whole of government and whole of sector aligned approach is the best avenue towards optimising Ireland's position". He said it "should be considered not only in relation to the scientific approach to assessment, but also the future economic and social impacts of the plan on farm families". 'Even though there is much work to be done in order to achieve clarity on the current position, the committee fully acknowledges the importance of communicating with farm families at appropriate junctures in order to support them through this concerning period, and to reflect their progress towards improved water quality," Bergin said. Bergin said he is "really encouraged both by the recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency showing improvement in the nutrient content of our waterways, and more importantly, the collective, combined effort by all sections of the agriculture sector to address water quality.' At the meeting also, Noel Meehan, head of Teagasc's water quality knowledge transfer department, provided an update on the establishment by Teagasc of 'catchment implementation groups' focused on eight of the main river catchments and their sub-catchments. The groups will include representatives from relevant farm organisations, processors of meat, dairy and grain in the catchments, regulatory authorities, catchment-based community groups and advisory groups.
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Former agri journalist Mairead McGuinness to run for presidency
Former MEP and European Commissioner Mairead McGuinnes, who started her career as an agricultural journalist, has secured the Fine Gael nomination to run as a candidate to become President of Ireland. Current President, Michael D Higgins will finish his second seven-year term at Áras an Uachtaráin in November. The President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann) is Ireland's Head of State. Every seven years the public elect a new president who can serve two terms in total. According to the electoral commission, some of the president's constitutional roles include: Representing the people of Ireland; Appointment of the Taoiseach, members of the government, judges and other officials; Summoning and dissolving the Dáil, and convening the Oireachtas; Signing legislation into law and/or referring Bills to the Supreme Court; Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces. To be nominated as a Fine Gael candidate, a candidate required the nomination of at least 20 members of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, 25 councillors and five members of the Fine Gael Executive Council. McGuinness's name will go forward for ratification at a party event in September. This will be the start of the Fine Gael presidential election campaign. Tánaiste and Fine Gael president Simon Harris said: 'The Fine Gael party is pleased to confirm Mairead McGuinness has been nominated as our candidate for the Presidential election and will be ratified by the party in September. 'Mairead has secured the support of the parliamentary party and the wider Fine Gael organisation. I look forward to working with her over the coming months. 'Presidential elections are always an important point for the country. I believe Mairead possesses all the attributes to bring our nation together at this important time.' Commenting on being nominated as the Fine Gael candidate for the role, Mairead McGuinness said: "I am conscious of the opportunity and challenge ahead, given the very important constitutional role of the President, and the esteem in which the office is held by the people. "Subject to my candidacy being ratified by the party in early September, I very much look forward to setting out my vision for the Presidency. And I look forward to working with you all over the coming weeks and months. "The campaign when it starts will be full-on," she added. A native of Ardee, Co. Louth, from a strong Fine Gael family, Mairead McGuinness is married to Tom Duff and they have four children. They now live near Drumconrath, Co. Meath. McGuinness was educated locally at the Convent of Mercy National School and Ardee Community School. She studied agricultural economics at University College Dublin (UCD), the first woman to qualify in the discipline and served as recording secretary of the Agricultural Society (Ag Soc) at the college. She began her career in journalism in RTÉ immediately after college. She worked initially as radio producer and later in research on 'The Late Late Show'. In more recent times McGuinness became well known as a presenter and driving force behind the 'Ear to the Ground' TV series. She also held the role of editor of the Farming Independent. Mairead McGuinness served two terms as chairperson of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and helped develop the guild as an important network for those in food and farming communications. She also chaired the Consumer Liaison panel set up by the Minister for Agriculture and Food. This panel spearheaded changes in food labelling and traceability initiatives. Related Stories McGuinness was first elected to the European Parliament in 2004 representing the Midlands North-West region of Ireland. She was elected by European counterparts as vice-president and was also previously a full member of the Agriculture & Rural Development/AGRI Committee and a substitute on Environment, Public Health & Food Safety/ENVI Committee as an MEP. She was voted by her colleagues as MEP of the Year for Agriculture in 2011. In 2014 she was awarded the UCD Foundation Day Alumni Award in Agriculture and Food Science. In 2020, she was appointed European Commissioner for Financial services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union until 2024.
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Mairead McGuinness withdraws from presidential election
Former MEP and European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has withdrawn from the presidential election citing health reasons. Last month, McGuinness, who started her career as an agricultural journalist, secured the Fine Gael nomination to run as a candidate to become President of Ireland. In a statement released this afternoon (Thursday, August 14), McGuinness said she had made the "very difficult decision to withdraw my name as the Fine Gael nominee for the presidential election". "This decision is not lightly taken and follows a stay in hospital last week. "My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of month, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all. "I am taking this decision on medical advice and and while it is extremely difficult, it is the right decision for me and my family," she said. "I appreciate that this will come as a shock and disappointment to party members and colleagues in Fine Gael, but our political family is strong. "I have spoken with the Tánaiste and [Fine Gael] party leader, Simon Harris, and thank him for his support and understanding. "I also want to thank all of those people who have done so much to support me, now and in the past. "My focus now is my health and my family, and I ask for privacy in the time ahead," McGuinness added. Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said that "Mairead McGuinness has made an incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe". "It was our clear view in Fine Gael and the view of many people across Ireland that Mairead would make an excellent President of Ireland. Mairead's health will not now allow this," he said. "This has come as an awful shock to us all. Mairead is a valued member of our Fine Gael family. "It is absolutely essential that she now prioritises her health and I know I speak for everyone when I wish her all the very best on that journey," he added. The Fine Gael leader said that in the coming days the party's executive council will gather to "consider further the presidential election". "But that's for the time ahead, not for today. Today I want to pay tribute to Mairead. "I want to thank her for all she has done. I want to wish her and Tom and their family all the best at this time and she knows we are all sending her our very best," Harris said. Related Stories Former agri journalist Mairead McGuinness to run for presidency L-r: Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, MEP Nina Carberry, and Mairead McGuinness. (Source: Nina Carberry) Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is Fine Gael's director of elections for the upcoming presidential elections. He said that Mairead McGuinness "served Fine Gael and Ireland with distinction in her public life". "The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the coming days to discuss the next steps, but for now, I, along with Mairead's many friends and colleagues within the party send their very best wishes to her and her family," he said.
