EU to review trade relations with Israel
A majority of the European Union's foreign ministers have spoken out in favour of reviewing the bloc's Association Agreement with Israel. The humanitarian situation in Gaza made it necessary to examine whether Israel still fulfils the basic principles of the trade agreement which include respecting human rights, EU foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas explained. European commentators see criticism of Israel's actions gaining traction.
Pile on the pressure
The protests are gradually having an effect, writes Middle East studies professor Koert Debeuf in De Standaard:
“We have reached a kind of 'tipping point' in recent days. ... For many this will not go far enough. ... The EU's decision to 'examine' whether Israel is complying with human rights as set out as the basis for the association agreement is also more than cynical. But at least things are moving and politicians are finally taking action. The pressure from the many protests is beginning to bear fruit. But if mass starvation is to be avoided, that pressure will have to be stepped up.”
Europe divided again
The warning will make little impression on Israel, the Süddeutsche Zeitung puts in:
“In the end, the EU will once again have to look on idly as Israel's military implements the government's plans in Gaza, quite literally without any regard for civilian losses. It would take a unanimous vote to terminate the agreement. But there is hardly any issue over which the European countries are more divided than how to deal with the Israeli government as the Gaza war rages. Nine countries voted against the review - including the German government, which made it clear that it wanted to keep 'communication channels' with Jerusalem open (even though no one had talked about severing all ties).”
Not antisemitism but a moral imperative
El Mundo stresses:
“Netanyahu cannot deny the Palestinians the right to exist that the Hamas terrorists deny the Israelis. He is justifying the annexation of the Gaza Strip with the argument of securing the complete surrender of Hamas - this is a legitimate objective which, however, is being pursued through unacceptable means. ... It is vital that international pressure increases. The movement is being led by France, Canada and the UK, which has suspended its trade talks with Israel over of its 'cruel policy' in Gaza. The EU has also now taken an important step forward. ... The dramatic situation demands this. Denouncing the behaviour of the Israeli government is not antisemitism but an unavoidable moral imperative.”
Prague's unconditional support is crumbling
For decades the Czech Republic had refrained even more from criticising Israel than other European countries, but this is now changing, Lidové noviny observes:
“Now President Petr Pavel has also embarked on the path of criticising Israel's actions. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming untenable and urgently requires a solution. In his view, the Czech Republic should make a distinction between its general support for Israel and its support for certain steps taken by the Netanyahu government. ... This marks a clear departure from the previous, almost unconditional support for Israel. The catastrophic situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip is glaringly obvious. ... President Pavel's criticism of the Netanyahu government is therefore more than justified.”
Suspend weapons deliveries
El País praises the fact that Spain is going beyond the EU decisions in Brussels:
“Although necessary, to what extent the Brussels initiative will impress a politician who has crossed all red lines with absolute impunity remains to be seen. ... In this respect the arms embargo against Israel passed by the Spanish parliament on Tuesday is to be welcomed. ... It provides for an automatic embargo in the event that a court recognised by Spain accepts a complaint against a state for genocide crimes. This is the case for Israel.”
Netanyahu increasingly isolated
Le Monde calls for consequences that go beyond words:
“It is necessary to clearly state that what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable - a 'disgrace', as Emmanuel Macron has said. But this step only makes sense if it is accompanied by the recognition that many of Israel's allies no longer have anything in common with Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, and that it can therefore no longer be allowed to act with impunity. ... To put an end to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy, save the Palestinian national project and protect the state of Israel from itself, the path chosen by the Israeli authorities in Gaza and the West Bank must incur a cost - and it must be a high one.”