Overview

• The European External Action Service concluded on June 20 that Israel’s actions in Gaza breach Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
• The review highlights impediments to humanitarian aid, use of starvation as a warfare tactic, hospital strikes, forced displacement and settler violence as evidence of violations.
• EU foreign ministers agreed not to impose immediate sanctions or suspend the association agreement following the presentation of the report.
• Member states are divided over the response, with some pushing for tougher measures and others, including Germany, Italy and Hungary, urging restraint.
• The assessment is being used as a political tool to pressure Prime Minister Beniamin Netanyahu to alter Israeli conduct in Gaza, with further steps expected to be debated at an EU leaders’ summit in July.