EU Council President expects debate on possible Israel sanctions

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Brussels – The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expects a difficult debate about possible restrictions on political and economic cooperation with Israel. The background is the criticism of Israel’s warfare in the Middle East.

Several heads of state and government had addressed the existing partnership agreement between the European Union and Israel at the last EU summit, Charles Michel said in an interview with the news agency network European Newsroom (enr). Sooner or later, this would become a more serious topic. Even now, there are talks at the level of foreign ministers about the so-called association agreement, said the former Belgian prime minister.

A suspension of the agreement could have far-reaching consequences, as it is the legal basis for trade relations between the EU and Israel. The treaty concerns, among other things, economic cooperation in areas such as industry, energy, transport, and tourism. It also provides for regular political consultations.

Spain and Ireland had already demanded months ago that the association agreement between the EU and Israel be put to the test. The background is in particular the suspicion that the Israeli armed forces, in their actions against terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah, disregard international humanitarian law and cause disproportionately great suffering among the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon.

Accusation of double standards against the EU

According to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, the EU Commission could propose a suspension of the agreement if Israel does not adhere to basic principles. These include that the relations between the contracting parties are not only based on the principles of democracy but also on respect for human rights.

Regarding the partnership agreement, the outgoing President of the European Council Michel commented in his response to a question about dealing with accusations against the international community. The EU is accused of allowing Israel to violate human and international law, which it would not tolerate with other countries.

Michel explained that if the EU displays double standards, it will lose its authority and credibility. He admitted that there are currently sometimes difficult debates among the heads of state and government in the European Council because not all member states have exactly the same assessment of what is in line with international law and what is not. However, they are very clear in the message that international law must always and everywhere be respected, Michel emphasized. (October 27)

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