A 42bn-euro dilemma: What is stopping EU from holding Israel to account?
Summary
Several EU countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, tried to suspend the EU’s trade deal with Israel because of concerns over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank. However, Germany and Italy blocked the move, showing a split in Europe about how to respond to Israel’s policies.Key Facts
- Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia proposed suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement.
- Germany and Italy vetoed the proposal, preventing suspension.
- Over 72,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since October 2023, with serious destruction of infrastructure.
- Israeli settlements in the West Bank continue to expand, violating international law.
- Israel’s far-right government recently passed a death penalty law mostly targeting Palestinians.
- The EU-Israel Association Agreement began in 2000 and includes a human rights clause.
- The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, with €42.6 billion in trade in 2024.
- European funding supports much of Israel’s scientific research, which would suffer without EU support.
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