EU-Israel to recommence normal relations despite genocide charges

As the International Court of Justice continues its investigation into the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and a warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains outstanding, the decision of the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas to continue with the EU-Israel Association Council on Monday (24 February) is an affront to international law, said The Left group in the European Parliament.

The EU, so far, has failed to leverage its influence in the region to bring a lasting peace in both Gaza and the West Bank, where the pace of illegal annexation and settler violence has skyrocketed in recent months. Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin, Ireland) said: “It cannot be just a case of bringing the Israelis in, having a stern word, and then going back to business as usual. We need to set very, very clear red lines that we respect human rights and international law."

MEP Rima Hassan (La France Insoumise, France) said: “We are calling on all civil society actors to mobilize on Monday from 7:30 a.m. in front of the Council of the European Union here in Brussels, to demand the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in accordance with Article 2, which conditions this association on respect for human rights.”

MEP Marc Botenga (PTB/PVDA, Belgium) said: “It’s truly unbelievable that at a time when the United States and Israel are talking about deporting two million Palestinians, the European Union is organizing a summit with Israel to strengthen relations with them.”

The Left group in the European Parliament continues to call for the ban on UNRWA to be lifted, for the 30-year siege of Gaza to be lifted, an end to European arms exports to Israel, and for a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

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