Israel’s actions in Gaza - including the deliberate obstruction of aid and the killing of starving civilians - constitutes a clear violation of Article 2 of the Agreement.
Today, EU Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, presented a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at the meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers.
In response, Oxfam Ireland CEO Jim Clarken said:
"The review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement is a long-overdue reckoning with the reality on the ground. Israel’s actions in Gaza - including the deliberate obstruction of aid and the killing of starving civilians - constitutes a clear violation of Article 2 of the Agreement, which requires respect for human rights and democratic principles.
"This review would not have happened without the leadership of the Irish government, who - alongside Spain - were the first to call for it. This must now be matched by decisive action from the EU as a collective to suspend the association agreement as Israel is clearly in breach.
The time for half-measures is over. The EU must act decisively to uphold international law and protect human life or face complicity with the ongoing deaths of Palestinians."
— Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO
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 ICJ issued an advisory opinion last year stating that “all States under obligation not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” and have an “obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. All EU countries and the EU are under this obligation.
Beyond suspending this agreement, Oxfam Ireland is calling for a permanent ceasefire, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid, an end to illegal Israeli occupation and a halt in all weapons transfers to Israel while there is a risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
"The review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement is a long-overdue reckoning with the reality on the ground. Israel’s actions in Gaza - including the deliberate obstruction of aid and the killing of starving civilians - constitutes a clear violation of Article 2 of the Agreement, which requires respect for human rights and democratic principles.
