Brussels: European Council President Antonio Costa announced that the European Commission is preparing a legal report intended for the Council of EU Foreign Ministers. This report, set to be presented on June 23, may pave the way for the imposition of partial sanctions against Israel, contingent on findings that Israel is not upholding its human rights obligations as outlined in Article 2 of the Association Agreement with the EU.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, press sources have indicated that the report could potentially facilitate the imposition of sanctions without requiring the consensus of all EU member states. This approach would be considered if Israel is found to be in breach of its human rights obligations under the agreement. Costa, in a press statement, emphasized the unacceptable situation in Gaza, suggesting that public sentiment and media coverage would lead to a clear conclusion regarding Israel's actions.
The call for this legal assessment was initiated by 17 out of the 27 EU member countries, while nine countries expressed opposition. Article 2 of the Association Agreement governs the EU-Israel relationship across various sectors, including trade. Although a complete annulment of the agreement would necessitate unanimous consent from all member states-something that is likely to face opposition-the EU is contemplating partial measures that could diminish the agreement's scope, achievable with a special majority rather than unanimity.
Politico cited four European diplomats who highlighted increasing pressure on the European Commission to present actionable steps to downgrade relations with Israel should it be confirmed that Israel is infringing upon the human rights clause. Recently, French Foreign Minister Jean-No«l Barrot advocated for a reassessment of the agreement, while reports have suggested that countries like France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium are considering recognizing a Palestinian state as part of their response.
