“It would hit the civilian population”

At the meeting held this Tuesday in Luxembourg, Germany and Italy joined forces to block the initiative of the President of the Government, which only had the full support of Slovenia and Ireland. “Numerical or political conditions are not met“said the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani.

Although Berlin and Rome have been very critical of Netanyahu, they argue that the suspension of the pact would mainly harm the civilian population and I would cut off all channels of dialogue. “It is better to individually sanction those responsible, I am thinking of the violent settlers, to increase and reinforce the sanctions.”

“But I don’t think blocking a trade deal is a useful tool, because would end up hitting the Israeli civilian populationwhich often has nothing to do with the acts committed by the military, which are then attributed to the Government,” alleges Tajani.

“We believe that (breaking the association agreement) is inappropriate. However, of course, we must talk to Israel about critical issues,” said the head of German diplomacy, Johann Wadephul.

The complete breakdown of the association agreement between the EU and Israel – in force since 2000 and which structures relations between both blocs – required unanimity of the 27 Member States, a practically unattainable threshold, given that Israel has other firm allies within the EU such as Hungary or the Czech Republic.

For this reason, the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed in September of last year, at the worst of the Gaza war, suspend the trade benefits that the EU offers to Israela decision that only needs a qualified majority to be approved.

However, the discussion on Von der Leyen’s plan was put on hold due to the peace agreement for Gaza announced by Donald Trump on September 29.

In Luxembourg, the Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albareshas insisted that if unanimity is not possible for a total break with Netanyahu, Von der Leyen’s sanctions plan must at least be reactivated. “What more needs to happen for the EU to be moved by the situation in the region and make some decision regarding Israel?”

“In Gaza phase two (of the peace agreement) is not progressing,” the violation of the ceasefire is systematichumanitarian aid cannot enter the Strip. In the West Bank the spiral of violence is unbearable, violent settlers continue to systematically attack the Palestinian population, settlements – condemned so many times by the UN – continue to expand.”

“We see an absolutely odious law, of death penaltywhich is something that the EU openly rejects, and also exclusively for Palestinians. And in Lebanon we are facing a flagrant violation of the most essential elements of international law, such as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a country.”

“Everything is getting worse. And if the EU wants to have credibility, to be able to have some weight in these crucial moments for humanity (…), it has to be by sending a clear message to Israel. This perpetual war in which it is engaged with all its neighbors in the Middle East has to stop“Albares claimed.