Revision of relations with Israel on the agenda of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union

Peter Stano told reporters in Brussels on Friday: As the High Representative (responsible for foreign policy of the European Union) announced at the UN Security Council meeting, this important issue on Monday in The meeting of the Council of Ministers will be reviewed.

He stated that he is not able to provide more details at this point, but the suspension of any partnership agreement requires the decision of all 27 member states of the European Union.

Ireland and Spain last February in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, expressed their deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and an “urgent review” of whether Israel is meeting its human rights obligations under its agreement with the European Union. Europe is acting or not, they demanded.

In the letter of Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland and Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, to Mrs. von der Leyen, the European Commission is also asked to take “appropriate measures” if Israel violates its obligations in the joint agreement between this regime and the European Union. to suggest what he did.

It should be said that Article 2 of the “EU-Israel Partnership Agreement” states that EU-Israel relations – as well as the provisions of this agreement itself – are “based on respect for human rights” and this principle is “an essential element” of this It forms the relationship.

The said letter states: In view of the danger of an even greater humanitarian disaster [than a disaster], due to the imminent threat of Israeli military operations in Rafah and in view of what has been happening in Gaza since October 2023 (Mehr 1402). Given and continuing, in addition to widespread concern about possible violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) by Israel, we call on the European Commission to urgently review Israel’s adherence to its obligations, including under ” “EU-Israel Association Agreement” which makes respect for human rights and democratic principles an essential element in relations.

The letter from the Prime Ministers of Ireland and Spain also states that they are “deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Gaza, especially the impact that the ongoing conflict is having on innocent Palestinians, especially children and women.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Times newspaper reported earlier this month that Ireland is seeking the support of EU member states to revise the agreement with Israel.

According to this report, this intervention [by Ireland and Spain] comes amid fears of an Israeli [regime] ground invasion of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge in the ongoing war.

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This is while the International Court of Justice, in its recent ruling, expressed concern about Israel’s violation of the “Genocide Convention” and declared that this regime must take the necessary measures to prevent the killing of Palestinians. Tel Aviv must also ensure that its forces do not commit the crime of genocide and take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Zionist regime, with the full support of the West and to retaliate against the surprise attacks of the resistance forces, has launched a massive massacre in Gaza. This regime has closed all crossings in the Gaza Strip and is bombarding this area. According to reports, more than 31 thousand Palestinians have been martyred and more than 72 thousand others have been injured.