EU countries discuss 10-point response to Israel human rights breaches and Gaza aid deal

The National

5 days ago

Foreign ministers from the European Union's 27 countries were on Tuesday considering punitive measures against Israel for breaching its human rights obligations under a treaty governing its relations with the bloc.
The main focus will be on following up on the implementation of a deal struck last week with Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, said the EU's foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, who has previously insisted the aim is not to punish Israel. 'We see positive signs of the fulfilment of that understanding but we need to see more, that is very clear,' Ms Kallas said as she arrived at the meeting in Brussels.
The agreement has led to some concrete developments such as the reopening of aid crossings and Israeli authorisation of Unicef to repair water pipes, EU officials have said, but it remains unclear how many aid lorries have been able to enter the enclave.
The amount of aid entering Gaza is only a fraction of what is needed, according to the UN, and about 90,000 children need treatment for malnutrition. More than 30 Gazans were killed by Israel over the weekend as they tried to get aid from the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, said the 40 to 50 lorries recently allowed in by Israel via his country was 'far from being sufficient'. 'People are starving. Infants are dying from malnutrition This cannot stand. This has to stop,' Mr Safadi said, speaking at a separate gathering in Brussels before Tuesday's meeting.
His Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, said the accounts of deaths near GHF distribution sites were exaggerated, and blamed Hamas for trying to stop Gazans from getting the aid.
Mr Saar also said he did not expect EU ministers to adopt any of the 10 possible punitive measures circulated by Ms Kallas on June 23. This followed a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement that found Israel had breached its human rights obligations. 'I'm sure that not any of them will be adopted by EU member states,' Mr Saar said.
The proposals included full suspension of relations, which requires an unlikely consensus from the EU's 27 countries. Decisions based on a qualified majority vote, such as suspending preferential trade relations, Israel's participation in the Erasmus+ student exchange or Horizon academic research programmes, were also listed.
EU states are unlikely to act, according to Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica. 'I cannot anticipate the discussion but I may say that I don't expect that major member states will change their position,' Ms Suica said.
The EU remains divided over the Israel-Palestine conflict, with a group of countries including Spain and Ireland recognising Palestine last year, while others, led by Germany, refuse to appear critical of Israel.