EU Calls for Measures Against Israel Over Human Rights Violations in Gaza

The European Union is urging Israel to address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza while initiating discussions on potential actions to address human rights violations in both Gaza and the West Bank. This statement was made by Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, during a press conference following a Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday in Brussels. For the first time, EU ministers discussed a report from European diplomatic services that suggests Israel may be violating its obligations to uphold human rights. Kallas indicated that she plans to confront Israel regarding the findings of this analysis, warning that if there is no improvement on the ground, further measures may be considered, with discussions likely to resume in July. "Today we began the debate, but it is not yet concluded," she noted. The ministers' discussions emphasized the EU's priority: securing a ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring full access to humanitarian aid, and facilitating the release of all hostages. When discussing potential measures against Israel, Kallas acknowledged that these could stem from their association agreement, including the prospect of reviewing that agreement. However, she noted that the primary concern remains the effective distribution of humanitarian aid, stating, "We see humanitarian aid crossing the borders, but it does not reach the people we want. We want the situation to improve for citizens." For the first time, the EU Foreign Ministers have debated a report from European diplomatic services evaluating Israel's compliance with its human rights obligations under the association agreement with the EU. This report, which outlines that Israel may be violating human rights in Gaza and the West Bank, is based on verified facts from independent international institutions. Seventeen of the 27 member states have supported the idea of launching a review of the association agreement in May, a resolution pushed forward by Spain after its joint letter with Ireland in February 2024. However, European member states remain divided on how to approach this finding. Spain has called for an immediate suspension of the association agreement with Israel, an arms sales embargo, and individual sanctions, while Germany has urged against questioning the agreement and proposed a halt to these discussions. The next significant step in this process is anticipated on Thursday when Kallas will present the report to the heads of state and government of the European Union during their summit in Brussels. This will be followed by another discussion in mid-July, when the Foreign Ministers of the Twenty-Seven will meet for their concluding session for the term. The review conducted by the European External Action Service (EEAS) revealed that Israel appears to fall short of its obligations regarding human rights through its actions in Gaza. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2