by shona murray  & Maia de la Baume
It’s published •update
The EU is unlikely to suspend its association agreement with Israel in the context of the current conflict with Iran, a source familiar with the matter told Euronows.
Last month, the majority of EU foreign ministers supported the Netherlands’ proposal to consider the bloc’s relationship with Israel regarding its actions in Gaza.
The EU’s diplomatic corps, the Diplomatic Corps (EEAS), is considering a wide range of trade and cooperation agreements with Israel on blocking food, fuel, water and basic medical supplies to the besieged population for military attacks in Gaza and the West Bank.
The report was launched to establish whether Israel violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
On Monday, the EU foreign minister discussed the review, saying several EU diplomatic sources are expected to find Israel in violation of regulations.
However, two sources familiar with the issue told Euronows that member states would not respond due to conflict with Iran or by participating in an agreement with Israel.
Some countries are eager to call for a halt. “You can safely assume what the review says. If it says it is trustworthy in any way, then Israel will say it is violating Article 2,” said the EU diplomat in the country who supported the review, “The main issue of business is getting a ceasefire in Gaza.
However, the momentum of pressure applied to Israel recently has slowed down due to a conflict with Iran, two sources said.
“The pendulum is back in Israel’s (support).”
“It is unlikely that the EU will suspend an EU-Israel agreement due to the Iran-Israel war,” one source said.
Germany’s position in negotiations is also important for discussion, as the decision to suspend a portion of the contract under a qualified majority vote requires German weight.
Last month, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz shifted support for Israel’s stubborn ally Germany behind a decision to consider a association agreement, saying he no longer understands the Israeli Army’s goals in Gaza.
“To hurt civilians in this way… it cannot be justified in the fight against terrorism,” Meltz said at the time.
But Mertz has been strong support for Israel in the context of the current strike against Iran, which he says “Israel is doing dirty work for the rest of us” at G7 on Tuesday.
“The strike against Iran should put additional pressure on Israel to halt the association agreement,” Martin Konekny, head of the European Middle East Project, told Euroneuz.
“But now, it could create the opposite, which literally scales back and distracts attention from Gaza,” he said.
Kaja Kallas, the head of foreign policy for the EU, reiterated that the EU has repeatedly sought a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Iran conflict. And once again, he called on all aspects to “comply with international law and eliminate the situation.”
“We will never lose sight of what is happening in Gaza… We are again looking for immediate full aid access, a ceasefire, and hostage releases,” she added.
Israel rejected the EU’s decision to consider cooperating with the state in the bloc’s trade and cooperation agreement regarding the strengthened attacks in Gaza.
“We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects the complete misunderstanding of the complex reality that Israel is facing,” said Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in X at the time of the decision.
