Overview

• Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson and Dutch FM Caspar Veldkamp formally urged suspension of the trade pillar of the EU–Israel Association Agreement, citing Israel’s failure to uphold humanitarian obligations in Gaza.
• A European Commission proposal earlier this week to suspend research cooperation under the pact was blocked by Germany and three other member states, exposing deep divisions over punitive action.
• The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reports that famine thresholds have been reached across most of Gaza and that one in three children in Gaza City is acutely malnourished.
• Canada, France and the United Kingdom have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September in response to Israel’s Gaza operation.
• Full suspension of the agreement requires unanimity among EU states while partial measures need a qualified majority, posing significant legal and political hurdles.