Backing a call from Ireland and Spain, 78 members of the European Parliament representing a majority of political groups stated they would support a revision of the EU-Israel Association Agreement over Tel Aviv’s breach of human rights obligation in Gaza, according to a letter obtained by Euractiv.
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday (February 14) issued a joint call for an “urgent review” of whether Israel is complying with human rights obligations under its trade agreement with the EU, asking the European Commission to propose “appropriate measures” that could be taken if Israel is found to be in breach.
Ireland, Spain ask EU for 'urgent review' of Israel trade over Gaza human rights compliance
Ireland and Spain are seeking an “urgent review” of whether Israel is complying with human rights obligations under its trade agreement with the EU, according to a joint letter seen by Euractiv.
The letter, circulated among MEPs for signatures since Wednesday afternoon, after the two countries’ request became public, also calls “to undertake an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its obligations, including under the EU/Israel Association Agreement,” without going into specifics.
The 78 EU lawmakers, who include only one political group leader, Spanish socialist Iratxe García Pérez, want to ensure the application of Article 2, which establishes that EU-Israel relations “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles”.
They also urge the Commission to present “appropriate measures to be taken” as soon as possible, “to ensure the coherence of the EU external action.”
However, any final decision on the possible revision of the Association Agreement is up to EU member states.
Israel signed an Association Agreement with the EU in 1995 but cancelled the annual talks under the format in 2013 in protest at an EU decision to differentiate between Israeli settlements on the West Bank and the rest of Israel in all agreements.
“We reiterate our total condemnation of the abominable terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on 7 October and our call for the immediate and unconditional release of remaining hostages,” the letter continues.
“However, the legitimate right of Israel to defend itself can only be exercised within the respect of international law,” MEPs stress.
“With more than 28.000 civilians killed -70% of them women and children- and almost 2 million people displaced, it is impossible to consider that Israeli actions comply with the mandatory principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution,” they conclude.
A majority of signatories are Spanish and Irish MEPs, but also include Belgian, Portuguese, and French lawmakers representing a majority of political groups: The centre-right European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberal Renew Europe group, The Left group, and the Greens.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
Read more with Euractiv
Russian opposition activist Navalny dies in penal colonyAlexei Navalny, Russian opposition activist and key critic of Vladimir Putin, died in a penal colony on Friday (16 February), according to reports by Russian state media.
Source: euractiv.com
