The European Union announced Tuesday it would launch a formal review of its political and trade ties with Israel, citing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel’s renewed military offensive. The decision, backed by 17 of the EU’s 27 foreign ministers, centers on whether Israel is breaching a human rights clause in the EU-Israel Association Agreement, first signed in 2000.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, “The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it’s a drop in the ocean.” The review was proposed by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and supported by countries including France and Ireland. Swedish and Slovenian officials are also pushing for sanctions against members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet over policies in Gaza and the West Bank.
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The Israeli Foreign Ministry rejected the EU’s position, calling it a “total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing” and warned that criticism emboldens Hamas.
In parallel, the United Kingdom paused negotiations on a new free trade agreement with Israel. British officials said no upgraded deal would move forward under a government pursuing “egregious policies” in Gaza and the West Bank. The UK also imposed sanctions on individuals and companies linked to settler violence.
The moves come as over 500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel’s latest ground offensive, Operation Gideon’s Chariots, launched May 17. While Israel has begun allowing limited aid trucks into Gaza, UN agencies say the deliveries are far from sufficient.