QUALITY EDUCATION / After Taullau's invitation, Merkel takes the first bus to visit Kazma's school!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Israel has turned most EU states against itself

2025-05-23 09:45:36Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
View from Gaza

More and more European countries are no longer willing to accept Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. Germany continues to maintain a restrained stance.

The European Union has maintained a special relationship with Israel for almost a quarter of a century. The partnership is based on the Association Agreement, which entered into force in June 2000. Just days before its anniversary, the agreement is being put under scrutiny: it is more controversial than ever.

The reason is the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The Netanyahu government's blockade policy has led to a decline in the number of governments supporting Israel among EU governments. The number of countries that no longer want to stand idly by and demand consequences now accounts for almost two-thirds of the 27 member states.

That was the conclusion reached by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after what she described as a “very, very intense debate” with EU foreign ministers. Although Kallas acknowledged the recent humanitarian aid distribution by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she called it a “drop in the ocean.” The situation in Gaza remains catastrophic.

Argument: human rights are violated

The Dutch Foreign Minister, Caspar Feldkamp, ??had previously suggested that the association agreement with Israel be revised. The core of the agreement is unrestricted trade with the fewest possible restrictions on the movement of goods, i.e., market access and Israel's participation in EU programs. However, a key component of the agreement is also the protection of human rights, which are allegedly being violated by Israel in Gaza.

According to diplomatic circles, a total of 17 foreign ministers have spoken out in favor of revising the agreement. Germany was not among them.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had previously criticized the humanitarian situation in Gaza with the same severity as his European colleagues. He had already described the situation as unbearable after his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, as he recalled in Brussels. "And it has not improved, it has worsened," he added.

Germany is not part of the majority

The reason given by the German government for not supporting the Dutch proposal is that it wants to keep all channels of dialogue open. Germany is not alone in this position. About a third of the 27 countries support it, including Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic.

However, the majority opinion was clear: the group of EU countries that are critical of Israel, led by Spain, Belgium and Ireland, has been significantly strengthened. "Therefore, we will initiate a review of the partnership agreement," Kallas explained. Regarding the Netanyahu government, she added that Israel should use the moment to completely lift the blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Border demarcation would hit Israel hard

Annulling the agreement would not be possible simply by a majority vote, as it would require unanimity. But a proposal has arrived from the Netherlands that would nevertheless have far-reaching consequences for Israel: without a review, The Hague refuses to accept the planned two-year extension of an EU-Israel Action Plan that promotes Israel's integration into European programs.

Calling into question the previously close relationship with the EU could have serious consequences for Israel. Last year, trade in goods reached 42.6 billion euros and the European Union is Israel's largest trading partner, ahead of the United States.

H. Schmidt/ARD


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×