Illegal occupation must not be rewarded through trade. The EU must act decisively and collectively in the face of Israel's genocide, war crimes and famine in Gaza.
- 4 min read
- Published: 22nd April 2026
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting: Discussions without action are meaningless - Oxfam reaction
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said there was no unanimity at a meeting of foreign ministers for a full suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement.
Today, European Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East, including Lebanon and Palestine. In response, Oxfam Ireland CEO, Jim Clarken said:
“The EU‑Israel Association Agreement is explicitly conditional on respect for human rights. That clause is not symbolic. If it is never enforced, even in the face of overwhelming evidence; it is meaningless. The credibility of the EU's principles is then seriously undermined."— Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO
“From the killing of civilians and the destruction of hospitals and schools to the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, the illegal death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners and the blocking of humanitarian aid; the evidence is not lacking. What is lacking is political will. Reviews alone will not protect civilians.
"We acknowledge the Irish government's leadership on this issue, alongside their Spanish counterparts in pushing this agenda at EU level.
"Member states cannot hide behind deadlock. States have a responsibility, as per the International Court of Justice, to act individually where grave human rights violations persist. In Ireland, the Occupied Territories Bill represents a concrete and lawful step to ensure we are not complicit in serious breaches of international law. Illegal occupation must not be rewarded through trade. The EU must act decisively and collectively in the face of Israel's genocide, war crimes and famine in Gaza.”
ENDS
Clare Cronin, Head of Communications - Oxfam Ireland
clare.cronin@oxfamireland.org
+353 (0)87 195 2551
Kate Brayden, Media Officer - Oxfam Ireland
kate.brayden@oxfam.org
+353 (0) 87 749 7447
Over 60+ organisations including Oxfam recently demanded a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen proposed a number of measures in September including the suspension of the trade component of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The EU states these measures remain on the table.
The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner.
Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement states “Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.” Israel’s well-documented violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, violate Article 2.
The Israeli Knesset has approved a discriminatory death penalty law that effectively applies only to Palestinians. Judges are required to impose this sentence on certain charges, there is no opportunity to challenge the decision, and the death penalty must be carried out within 90 days.
On April 9, Israel's parliament approved 34 new settlements in the West Bank, despite them being illegal under international law and involving land grabbing and forced displacement of Palestinian communities.
More than 750 people have been killed in Gaza since the so-called "ceasefire"', without any consequences. Since October 2023, Israel has killed over 72,000 Palestinians in Gaza and over 1000 in the West Bank, incl. East Jerusalem.
Since March 2, Israel has launched a large-scale offensive in Lebanon, killing more than 2,000 people and wounding more than 6,000. 20% of the population has been forcibly displaced in Lebanon. Bridges, medical facilities and personnel, homes, and water infrastructure have been targeted and, in some cases, completely destroyed by Israel.
Israel razed entire villages to the ground, while targeting emergency responders and decimating infrastructure essential for survival. The 10-day ceasefire, which started on April 17 will do little for the people who have been wounded, forcibly displaced and lived under ever-constant threat of Israeli drones and bombs. Israel continues to occupy parts of the south of Lebanon.
Almost all humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza by professional international NGOs have been blocked for more than a year. Currently, only one crossing is open for limited aid supplies and commercial access and the Israeli government is trying to permanently remove the registration of dozens of professional aid organisations.
Israel is seeking to ban aid groups in Gaza, including Oxfam, as they refuse to transfer sensitive personal data to a party at conflict as this would breach humanitarian principles, duty of care and data protection obligations in a context where more than 500 humanitarian workers have been killed since October 7, 2023.
