Latest news with #EU-Israeli
Egypt Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt welcomes EU ‘positive steps' toward Palestinian cause
CAIRO – 22 May 2025: Egypt welcomed the significant development in the stance of international actors, particularly their complete rejection of the heinous Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, the use of brutal force against the innocent and defenseless civilians there, and the accompanying implementation of a starvation policy unprecedented in international conflicts. This change in international stance has been resulted in the recent positive steps, including the tripartite statement by the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada; and the European decision to review Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement with the European Union, which organizes the EU-Israeli trade ties. Egypt welcomed the steps taken toward joint recognition of the Palestinian state. Egypt considers that these steps reflect a sound commitment and well-deserved support from the international community for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, of which they have been unjustly deprived for decades. 'This represents the nucleus of a broader international movement required to correct the situation and put an end to the long history of Israeli violations against the Palestinian people,' Egypt said in a statement on Thursday. Egypt voiced its utter support for these steps and looks forward to taking further steps to stop the Israeli war on Gaza. Egypt also encouraged other countries to support this movement to strengthen the credibility of the rules-based international order and to consolidate the universality of the principles of international humanitarian law. Egypt affirmed its continued efforts in various forums and with all regional and international partners to address the root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, namely Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the denial of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights. 'This will ensure the fulfillment of their aspirations, most notably their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.' Reiterating its long-standing position, Egypt emphasized that implementing the two-state solution is the only way to restore stability and security and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, and that coexistence, based on mutual respect and equal rights, is the best path for the region to embark on new horizons of prosperity and integration. On May 21, the leaders of France, the UK, and Canada said that they will adopt 'punitive' measures against Israel if the latter did not stop its war against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They also condemned the language used by some Israeli cabinet members, and announced their support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. On the same day, the Israeli occupation army opened fire at a delegation of regional, European, and Western diplomats visiting the West Bank city of Jenin. Consequently, the French Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador in Paris.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Situation in Gaza 'appalling and barbaric'
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described the situation in Gaza as "absolutely appalling and barbaric". Speaking in the Dáil, he said there is absolutely no justification for what is occurring in Gaza, adding that Israel's persecution of the war is causing "immense death, destruction and suffering to an entire population". Mr Martin said he believes the EU-Israeli trade agreement should be suspended pending review. Yesterday, the EU agreed to review its cooperation deal with Israel, after a clear majority of member states supported a Dutch proposal to do so. The Taoiseach said he welcomed this decision. Mr Martin was responding to Labour leader Ivana Bacik, who called on the Government to press the issue of Gaza at the United Nations. Ms Bacik said there are no words to describe the horror that Israel is inflicting upon the people of Gaza, adding that "the wickedness of starving children" cannot be overstated. "Ours is a small country, but we have fierce diplomatic power," Ms Bacik said. She said Ireland and countries around the world have a moral obligation to do more. "Ireland must stand with Palestinian children and civilians," she added. She said every step would be taken to stop the preventable death of infants, if they were from Ireland. "'[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's campaign was always driven by a plan to displace and exterminate," she said. "This is devastation, and the UN is failing in all our names." Labour calls on Government to table resolution at UN Ms Bacik said that Labour would be tabling a motion next week calling for collective measures by the UN to bring a lasting ceasefire and to send peacekeeping troops. She said the Government must "table an emergency resolution at the UN General Assembly to note the failure of the Security Council and call for collective measures to secure a lasting ceasefire and an international peacekeeping force for Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to flow and save lives". Deputy Bacik also called for the Government to implement the Occupied Territories Bill. Micheál Martin said he agreed with Ms Bacik's presentation of what is "an absolutely barbaric and appalling situation in Gaza". "It is simply wrong in principle and in law to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population whatever the circumstances and this behaviour constitutes a war crime," he said. He said he saw the comments by Israel's Finance Minister Smotrich who spoke about taking over Gaza. "He said it was absolutely reprehensible." The Taoiseach said hostages also needed to be released and said the 7 October attacks by Hamas were also barbaric. Mr Martin said there needed to be a ceasefire and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Deputy Bacik, meanwhile, praised Ireland's leadership on Gaza, but said what Israel was doing with impunity had to stop. "Ireland has to do more at international level and here at home," she said. In response, the Taoiseach said Ireland's response has been "more than just words", pointing to significant aid sent by Ireland to UNRWA. A lot of obstructions to aid in Gaza, UN spokesperson says Meanwhile, the deputy spokesperson with OCHA, the UN humanitarian office, has said systems to get aid into Gaza are overly complicated and a lot of obstructions are being put in place. Jens Laerke said that the latest information is that no aid has reached those who need it. Mr Laerke described the aid situation in Gaza at present as "tragic" saying that time is running out, and that aid organisations do not know how long Israel will allow aid to enter the enclave. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said the aid has not made it past the border because other trucks from inside Gaza need to drive to the crossing point and pick the aid up. However, these trucks were not given clearance to pick up the aid, he said. He said that aid agencies will try again today with more trucks needed on both sides. He added that the clock is ticking, however, and there is an immediate need to get the aid out of the transit point. Trucks with nutrition supplies are being prioritised, he said, particularly baby food. "There are a lot of babies and children who are malnourished and who will need this for their survival. "Food and nutrition supplies have been prioritised. "That is sitting there and needs to get out." He added that the opening of aid supplies to Gaza by Israel is temporary and that aid agencies do not know how much time they will have to get the aid in and how long it will be allowed for. "It could be days or perhaps a week, it's not clear," he said. "We have a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza." He said that aid is tracked by QR codes so the UN agencies have checks and balances in place to monitor what moves. However, Israel has also set up a system involving scanning, weighing and taking measurements of supplies before anything gets in, he added.
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Netherlands urges review of EU-Israel trade deal over ‘catastrophic' Gaza aid block
The Dutch government, seen as one of Israel's most loyal allies in the European Union, is calling for an urgent review of the EU Israel association agreement, the basis for the EU-Israeli free trade agreement, the Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp told the Guardian. Veldkamp described the Israeli ban on the supply of aid into Gaza as 'catastrophic, truly dismal' and in clear breach of international humanitarian law. He has written to the head of the European Union foreign service Kaja Kallas requesting an urgent review, saying he believes Israel is now in breach of the association agreement. Veldkamp, a former Dutch ambassador to Israel, said he expects the issue to be discussed at a two day informal EU foreign ministers meeting in Poland starting Wednesday. The EU is Israel's largest trade partner. The Dutch government has in the past led moves to block discussion of the association agreement's suspension, a lever most persistently advocated by Ireland and Spain. Explaining his position Veldkamp said: 'You cannot starve the people of the Gaza Strip. It is against international law. It's morally wrong. It's dangerous. I don't think it's in Israel's own interest.' Chances for a ceasefire appeared 'very, very slim,' he said, making the situation 'unbearable'. The Dutch government would veto any extension of the EU-Israel action plan, the agreement implementing the association agreement that came into force in 2000, he added. Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement stipulates that their relations are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. NGOs have repeatedly pressed a divided EU to take a stronger stand, but no moves were made to suspend the agreement in its meeting with Israel this February. In his letter to Kallas, Veldkamp said Israel's proposed system of aid distribution appeared incompatible with the 'principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence'. Speaking to the Guardian in London following a meeting with the British foreign secretary David Lammy he said that the Netherlands was was 'very concerned about the current conduct of the war, especially since the ceasefire's end on 18th of March, and the blockade of humanitarian aid'. He also challenged Netanyahu's priorities saying a ceasefire was the most effective way to get hostages released. 'The criticism in Israel is increasing against [the] prime minister that he does not give enough priority to the release of the hostages, and he has now stated also that he doesn't give that ultimate priority, but he gives the priority to fighting Hamas,' he said. 'Now, Hamas has to release the hostages as soon as possible. Hamas has to lay down its weapons. Hamas cannot be part of the future governance of the Gaza Strip,' he said, 'I know there are also plans by Egypt, one of the facilitators of ceasefire talks wants to see Hamas leadership leave to a third country.' With the International Court of Justice sitting in the Hague, the Dutch government feels it has an added duty to uphold ICJ judgements. 'I don't have any illusions that Hamas will ever apply international humanitarian law, but from a democracy such as Israel, democracies fight differently, and Israel has to abide by international humanitarian law, and with the latest statements by Israeli ministers, such as minister Smotrich that he aims for a total destruction of the Gaza strip, we cannot ignore any longer such statements. 'I say this as someone that feels close to Israel, and as a former ambassador, this is not a sustainable policy by Israel, and it is time to work for peace'. His remarks, and the potential impact on the European Union come days before Donald Trump flies to the Middle East for his first major overseas visits since his inauguration. Trump has not so far criticised Netanyahu's strategy.
