The government of Binjamin Netanyahu powerfully criticized the European Union for having decided to revise its economical relations with Israel. She made that decision in consequence to reports of Palestinian suffering in Gaza.
In a message addressed to the EU to which POLITICO service reached, the Brussels decision to review the association agreement with Israel called its government "scandal and wicked". He besides accused EU officials of relying on biased evidence and did not give Israel a chance to address these reports.
The European Commission has launched an investigation into Israel's violation of its human rights obligations under the Association Agreement. This was a consequence to calls from most EU countries to review it in the light of The humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The draft of the arrangements reached by POLITICO suggests that Israel's actions in this enclave may have breached the provisions of an agreement involving broad economical cooperation with the EU in key sectors, political dialog and trade.
Israel’s Emotional Response
In a message addressed to the EU diplomatic service which reviewed the agreement, the Israeli government mentioned an existential threat posed to Iran and its Hamas allies. He cited the attack by this group 7 October 2023, In which 1,200 people died.
"In the face of this dreary reality, the European Union is considering a "review" of its relations with Israel. This is not a policy adjustment – this is simply a moral distortion" said Israel in a paper dated 18 June.
"This initiative is not only unfounded but besides outrageous and unworthy. It reflects the gross inability to separate between democracy defending its citizens and countries and organizations seeking genocide that attack Israeli civilians and usage their own citizens as surviving shields. This shows that Israel is blind to the real threat: to Israel, to the stableness of the region and yet to Europe itself," stated the Israeli government in a statement.
This review is 1 of the most controversial abroad policy decisions facing the EU. It came at an highly delicate minute of conflict in the mediate East — after U.S. president Donald Trump ordered American bombers to join the Israeli military offensive and bomb Iranian atomic facilities.
Monday meeting
Kaja Kallas, EU advanced typical for abroad Affairs and safety Policy, will formally present the results of the review to them at a gathering with EU Ministers on Monday. The EU will then gotta decide what steps to take — and whether to do so at all.
He may not take any action. It may besides reduce trade cooperation with Israel to any extent, suspend the various parts of the agreement, or even the full agreement, although this would require the unanimous consent of all 27 block countries. And it's improbable that they can accomplish it.
The storm broke out at a time erstwhile European leaders are fighting for advancement in the mediate East peace effort. Israel was frustrated that the European powers began negotiations with Iran, while he himself He tried to win. A war he started a small over a week ago.
American 3 cents
In fresh months, relations between Israel and the EU have become increasingly tense. This was due to difficulties in providing humanitarian aid to many thousands of people in the Gaza Strip, who according to NGOs are They're seriously starving. The Gaza crisis prompted EU governments, including usually loyal supporters of Israel, specified as the Netherlands, to support calls for a review of the association agreement.
Israel stated that the process supervised by Kaja Kallas was “deeply worrying” and was based on evidence of “full bias”. The European External Action Service under the review procedure sent 8 questions to Israel on 12 June. Israel responded six days later.
"This is not moral or constructive diplomacy. There was no appropriate investigation. There was no hearing. No draft comments were submitted, only a list of questions! Israel did not even have the minimum chance to respond, defend or be treated with respect due to each sovereign state, and even more strategical partner of the European Union," said Israel in its Communication.
In it, he denied that he was a "buyer of Palestinian territories" and stated that Hamas was inactive in power in the Gaza Strip. The voice of Berlin will be crucial for further development. Germany, a long-standing ally of Israel, has late been increasingly critical of the situation in the Gaza Strip, as does the German president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU's consequence will most likely besides be affected by Trump's decision to join Israel's direct war with Iran.
