Latest news with #EUIsraelRelations
BreakingNews.ie
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Taoiseach and Tánaiste welcome EU decision to review trade agreements with Israel
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have welcomed the EU's decision to review its trade arrangements with Israel. The EU has said it is reviewing its association agreement with Israel, which governs its political and economic relationship. Advertisement Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, said a majority of members favoured looking again at the 25-year-old agreement. The agreement forms the basis of trade ties between the EU and Israel. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in a statement that Ireland will work to ensure the review is taken forward as quickly as possible, and that Israel 'cannot act with impunity against all international humanitarian laws and norms'. Tánaiste Simon Harris said that the situation in the enclave has become immeasurably worse since Ireland first called for this review alongside Spain in February 2024. Advertisement "The decision to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement to examine compliance with human rights announced today by High Representative Kaja Kallas is one I strongly welcome. Together with Spain, Ireland first called for this step to be taken in February 2024," the Taoiseach said. " Since then, many thousands of Palestinians have been killed and maimed in a brutal military operation, the brunt of which has been borne by an innocent civilian population. "Thousands more are at the brink of starvation, with the UN warning that 14,000 babies could die in the next 48 hours if aid doesn't reach them. "Israel must know that the world is watching and that we will not stand by ," Mr Martin said. He added that "Ireland will work to ensure that the review is taken forward as quickly as possible, and that its conclusions are acted upon. " We must stop this war. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid."
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Growing call from EU states to review EU trade deal with Israel
A proposal to review the European Union 's trade agreement with Israel in light of its blockade stopping humanitarian aid getting into Gaza is believed to have the support of up to 10 EU states. France, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and several other EU states support the EU reviewing its relationship with Israel, in response to growing concerns about the worsening conditions in Gaza. Humanitarian organisations and aid agencies have warned of the dire consequences of what has been a near three-month blockade, where Israel has prevented food and other supplies getting into the Gaza Strip, sparking fears of a possible famine. For weeks aid agencies have been warning that the enclave of more than two million Palestinians is on the verge of having food, fuel and medical supplies run out. READ MORE The blocking of vital supplies getting into Gaza, which Taoiseach Micheál Martin said amounted to a war crime , has seen renewed impetus within the EU to exert political pressure on Israel. Foreign ministers from the 27 EU states are expected to discuss ordering a review into the EU's agreement that governs the bloc's relations with Israel, known as the 'association agreement'. It is understood about 10 of the 27 national capitals have indicated their support for a review, to determine if Israel has breached a clause in the agreement to uphold human rights. The governments of Ireland and Spain first called for a review of the EU's trade agreement with Israel in February 2024. At the time the proposal gained little traction. In a letter earlier this month, Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp retabled the proposal to review the EU-Israel deal, given the aid blockade was 'exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation' in Gaza. It is understood Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs chief who chairs the meeting, will gauge support for the proposal when ministers meet in Brussels on Tuesday. Dutch diplomats have been attempting to convince other EU states to support the proposal. Officials hope if a majority of states – at least 14 of the 27 – back the call for a review, the European Commission will be pressured to act. The commission, the EU's executive arm that proposes laws and sets trade policy, has to date resisted calls to review the association agreement. Some around the table are expected to continue to row in behind Israel. Germany, Austria, Hungary and Czechia have been the most vocal supporters of Israel within the EU. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed during the bombardment and invasion of Gaza by Israel's military, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The Israeli assault followed the October 7th, 2023 attacks by Hamas militants which killed 1,200 people, according to Israelis tallies. Under growing international pressure, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said this week a basic amount of aid would be allowed into Gaza.
Free Malaysia Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
France backs calls to review EU-Israel agreement over Gaza
The 27-nation bloc was split over calls to suspend its cooperation deal with Israel due to the blockade of aid to Palestinians in Gaza. (AP pic) PARIS : France on Sunday backed calls for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel over a blockade of aid to Gaza. The Netherlands has called for an urgent review of the association agreement between the bloc and Israel. 'This is a legitimate request, and I invite the European Commission to examine it,' said French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking to broadcaster France Info. He stressed that relations between the EU and Israel were based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. Asked whether this meant that France was in favour of challenging the agreement, Barrot replied: 'Let's see what analysis the European Commission will make of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of this agreement.' Barrot emphasised the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. 'I believe we must put reality into words,' he said. 'The reality is that the Palestinians in Gaza are starving, they are thirsty, they lack everything, and that the Gaza Strip is today on the brink of chaos and famine,' Barrot said. 'I think everyone realises this,' he said, describing the attitude of the Israeli government as 'incomprehensible.' 'And it is by speaking out that we can, without a doubt, hope to influence the Israeli position.' This week EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that Brussels had made an offer to Israel to help distribute aid in Gaza. The 27-nation block has been split over its approach to Israel and the war in Gaza, with Spain and Ireland last year calling for the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel due to abuses they allege were committed in Gaza.
