The European Union will investigate whether Israel is still complying with the conditions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This has been decided by the European Ministers of Foreign Affairs. This was reported by Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. He had requested such an investigation.
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas confirms that the investigation is being launched to news agency Reuters.
Seventeen EU member states supported the request, nine did not. According to Veldkamp, Europe is sending “a very clear signal that we really mean it.”
Veldkamp states that the EU is “really very concerned” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In addition, the message from the EU to Israel is that it “must now stop the military action and fully lift the humanitarian blockade.”
The Association Agreement and the associated EU-Israel Action Plan give Israel, among other things, economic privileges in the EU. The country is also eligible for certain European subsidies.
But criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza is increasing, particularly the refusal to allow aid supplies to enter. According to Foreign Minister Veldkamp, Israel is violating Article 2 of the Association Agreement with its blockade, he informed EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas earlier this month. That article states that human rights and democratic principles must be respected.
Veldkamp then announced that he would not agree to an extension of the EU-Israel Action Plan while the investigation is ongoing. This action plan further elaborates the cooperation between the EU and Israel. Unanimous support is required for extension.
The minister was also critical earlier this month of a new Israeli system to distribute aid in Gaza. “Although many details are still unknown, this system does not appear to be consistent with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence,” he wrote to Kallas.
Veldkamp Criticizes Minimal Aid from Israel in Gaza
On Monday, for the first time since March 2, when Israel proceeded to a blockade, a small amount of aid arrived in Gaza. According to the Israeli army, nine trucks entered the area.
Veldkamp described Israel’s temporary food aid on Monday as “deficient and insufficient.” Aid organizations also expressed criticism. Temporary aid is, according to CARE and UNICEF, only a “band-aid.”
The Netherlands then joined 21 other countries that called on Israel on Monday to fully allow humanitarian aid to Gaza and to allow the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to do their work independently.
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