EU Review Finds Israel in Breach of Human Rights Clause in Trade Agreement
- Human Rights Research Center
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
June 23, 2025
HRRC commends the European Union (EU) for upholding its legal and moral obligations by reviewing Israel’s compliance with human rights standards. This is a vital step toward ensuring accountability and aligning trade policy with international humanitarian law.
![Speaking at the European Parliament on 18 June, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, “Israel has the right to self-defence, but what we see in practice from Israel goes beyond self-defence.” [Image credit: European Union 2025]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_713a11c3d2604d53ab3f46197feb21fa~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_713a11c3d2604d53ab3f46197feb21fa~mv2.png)
An official review by the European External Action Service (EEAS) found significant evidence that Israel breached the EU-Israel Association Agreement's human rights obligations by its military activities in Gaza. The results indicate violations of Article 2 of the agreement, which requires both parties to uphold international law and human rights as fundamental components of their trade and political relations.
The findings are based on assessments conducted by independent international organizations and include serious violations such as excessive use of force, blockage of humanitarian goods, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and mass displacement of the Palestinian population. The EEAS assessment triggered demands for the EU to consider potential political and trade consequences, such as partial suspension of the agreement.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, has taken a firm stance, openly claiming that Israel's actions "go beyond self-defense" and that cutting off food and medical help does not guarantee Israel's security. The review was launched in response to a request spearheaded by the Netherlands and supported by 16 other EU nations, which includes Belgium, Denmark, Estonia. Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The group is currently contemplating the next steps, which may range from trade restrictions to the suspension of some aspects of bilateral cooperation. However, divides within the EU persist, with nations such as Germany and Austria reluctant to support severe actions against Israel.
While full suspension of the agreement needs approval from all 27 member nations, partial actions can be implemented with a qualified majority. As the humanitarian crisis escalates, some EU member states call for immediate action to protect the bloc's values. Meanwhile, Belgium and other countries have independently requested that the European Commission investigate the legality of trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing international law and a recent International Court of Justice verdict.
The findings are set to be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on June 23 and a European Council summit later in the week, with mounting pressure on the EU to align its trade policy with its stated human rights commitments.
Glossary
Accountability: Being responsible for one's actions.
Aligning: Matching or coordinating with something.
Assessment: Evaluation or judgment of something.
Bilateral Cooperation: relations between two states or countries.
Bloc: a group of countries or political parties with common interests that have formed an alliance.
Compliance: Following rules or regulations.
Components: Parts, pieces, or bits.
Contemplating: Thinking carefully about something.
Displacement: Forcing people to leave their homes.
Escalates: Increases or intensifies a situation.
Firm: Strong and steady.
Fundamental: Basic or essential.
Guarantee: Promise or assurance of something.
Mounting: Increasing or growing.
Moral Obligations: Duties or responsibilities arising out of considerations of right and wrong.
Partial: Not complete, limited, or biased [limited is the correct word in the context of the article].
Persists: Continues to exist or happen.
Reluctant: Unwilling or hesitant.
Self-defense: Protecting oneself from harm.
Stance: Attitude or position.
Suspension: Temporary stop or pause.
Upholding: Supporting or maintaining.
Verdict: Decision or judgment.
Vital: Necessary or important.
West Bank: An area in Palestinian territory.
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