https://arab.news/nj63y
- Association agreement to be examined over Gaza concerns
- 鈥楨mboldened by EU inaction 鈥� and even backed by some EU states 鈥� Israeli leaders have flaunted their genocidal aims鈥�
LONDON: The EU鈥檚 decision to review trade and cooperation with Israel in light of concerns over the Gaza war is 鈥渄evastatingly late,鈥� Amnesty International has said.
On Tuesday, the European Commission agreed to conduct a review into Israel鈥檚 potential violation of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The article mandates respect for human rights and democratic principles from both parties.
Seventeen EU member states raised objections to Israel鈥檚 conduct in Gaza and demanded the review.
Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty鈥檚 European Institutions Office, said: 鈥淲hile this is a welcome first step, it also comes devastatingly late. The extent of human suffering in Gaza for the past 19 months has been unimaginable. Israel is committing genocide in Gaza with chilling impunity.鈥�
The NGO has long called for a review of the EU鈥檚 association agreement with Israel. It has cited Israel鈥檚 illegal occupation of Palestinian territory as a key violation of the agreement.
Israel鈥檚 conduct in Gaza has only strengthened calls for a review into European trade with the country.
鈥淓mboldened by EU inaction 鈥� and even backed by some EU states 鈥� Israeli leaders have flaunted their genocidal aims,鈥� Geddie said.
鈥淭he EU鈥檚 unofficial policy of appeasement towards Israel is contrary to its member states鈥� obligations and will forever be judged in the annals of history.鈥�
Geddie warned that any delay in European action would 鈥渃ost human lives in Gaza.鈥� She called for the EU to immediately suspend all trade linked to Israel鈥檚 settlement industry, which has expanded significantly amid the war in Gaza.
鈥淭he stakes are too high. If the EU fails to live up to these obligations as a bloc, and seeks to shield itself from its clear legal obligations, its member states must unilaterally suspend all forms of cooperation that may contribute to violations of international law,鈥� Geddie said.
After the EU agreed to probe ties with Israel, Amnesty said it would now focus on pushing for a 鈥渕eaningful review which takes evidence and international standards into account.鈥�