A recent audit by the EU’s diplomatic service has highlighted concerns regarding Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as reported by Reuters and AFP.
Evidence suggests that Israel may be violating its human rights responsibilities outlined in its agreement with the European Union, according to an examination of the accord.
An internal EU document obtained by Reuters and AFP reveals that the European External Action Service has indicated that Israel’s actions in Gaza may not be consistent with the stipulations of the EU-Israel Association.
“Based on evaluations from independent international institutions… there are indications of Israel’s potential breach of human rights obligations,” stated the EU audit.
This report surfaces amid growing alarm in European capitals regarding Israel’s operations in Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the region.
“Israel’s ongoing restrictions on the distribution of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods are having a widespread impact on the entire population of Gaza,” the document asserts.
The report includes a detailed section addressing the conditions in Gaza, focusing on humanitarian aid denial, numerous casualties from attacks, assaults on medical facilities, displacement issues, and the lack of accountability. It also examines the situation in the occupied West Bank, particularly settler violence, as reported by Reuters.
The findings are based on verified facts and assessments from independent international entities, with a focus on the latest developments in Gaza and the West Bank.
Launched last month, this audit responds to the increasingly challenging humanitarian situation in Gaza, backed by the support of 17 states, with the Netherlands leading the initiative.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, is scheduled to present the report’s findings to the bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.
EU-Israel Agreement Overview
Enacted in 2000, the EU-Israel agreement stipulates that their relationship should be anchored in “respect for human rights and democratic principles.”
To suspend this agreement, a unanimous decision from all 27 EU member states would be necessary; diplomats have indicated that this is highly unlikely.
According to AFP, it’s anticipated that Kallas will offer options for addressing the report’s findings during the upcoming foreign ministers’ meeting in July.
“The critical question is… how many member states would choose to remain passive while professing a business-as-usual approach,” commented an anonymous diplomat prior to the report’s release.
“It’s crucial to avoid being misled by Israel into diverting attention elsewhere,” they emphasized.
The EU remains Israel’s largest trade partner, with goods traded amounting to 42.6 billion euros ($48.2 billion) in 2024, while services reached 25.6 billion euros ($29.5 billion) in 2023.
Israel’s mission to the EU has not yet responded to a request for comments on the report’s findings.