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yesterday

EU Signals Israel May Breach Human Rights Pact, Weighs Trade Sanctions

Foreign ministers will debate the diplomatic service’s leaked assessment before Kaja Kallas presents formal options next month.

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
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Overview

  • EU’s diplomatic service found indications Israel may have violated Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement by restricting aid and causing high civilian casualties in Gaza.
  • Foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss the leaked European External Action Service report on June 23 in Brussels.
  • The EU could suspend the agreement’s trade pillar with a qualified majority to reinstate tariffs without scrapping the entire cooperation deal.
  • Full suspension of the pact or an EU-wide arms embargo would require unanimity, and states like Hungary, Germany and the Czech Republic are poised to block strong measures.
  • Brussels is Israel’s top trading partner, with €42.6 billion in goods exchanged in 2024 and €25.6 billion in services in 2023, giving the bloc economic leverage.