On April 21, in Brussels, the European Union (EU) foreign ministers did not approve the proposal to suspend part of the association agreement between the EU and Israel.
The proposal was made by Ireland, Spain and Slovenia in the context of continuing fighting in Gaza and increasing violence in the West Bank.
The EU-Israel association agreement is a legal framework governing relations between the two sides since 2000. This agreement includes many contents such as trade, investment, economic cooperation, scientific research, education, energy and political dialogue.
This is also a basis to help Israel access the European market more easily through trade and tariff preferences.
According to the new proposal, the EU may suspend part of the cooperation contents in the agreement to put pressure on Israel regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
However, this proposal did not receive sufficient support from member countries.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms. Kaja Kallas - High Representative for Foreign Policy of the EU - said that options for partially suspending the agreement are still being considered. According to the current mechanism, the complete cancellation of the EU-Israel agreement requires the consensus of all 27 member countries. Meanwhile, partial suspension only requires a majority of qualified parties.
Ms. Kallas also said that it is not certain that such measures will create significant changes on the ground.
Meanwhile, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia continue to push for a review of relations with Israel.
In a letter sent before the meeting, the three countries said that the situation in Gaza is "unacceptable", with limited humanitarian aid and increasingly serious violent acts in the West Bank.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that the EU cannot maintain normal relations with Israel in the context of prolonged conflict.
Belgium also expressed concern. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said that the level of violence in the West Bank has increased sharply recently.
Conversely, Germany opposes the idea of suspending the agreement. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the EU needs to maintain dialogue with Israel instead of cutting cooperation.
On Israel's side, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar refuted criticism from Europe, saying that some countries are showing bias and political orientation in their conflict approach.
