In reaction to the recent announcement that the EU will review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s Policy lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza said:
“Let’s be clear: it is a welcome step, but far too little and too late. For months upon months, the people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. Entire families erased. Homes, hospitals and schools reduced to rubble. The Israeli violations of international law are blatantly clear. Israeli leaders are openly calling for total destruction and forcibly displacing the entire population. It is about time the EU responds.
“There is no time left. Every second of delay costs lives. We simply do not have the time for the EU to sit and negotiate. If the EU as a bloc fails to suspend this agreement with Israel, EU countries must bilaterally end these agreements. Anything less is complicity.”
Notas para editores
The ICJ issued an advisory opinion last year stating that “all States under obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” and have an “obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. All EU countries and the EU are under this obligation.
Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement states “Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.” Israel’s well-documented violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, violate Article 2.
Beyond suspending this bilateral agreement, the organisations are calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to illegal Israeli occupation, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid and a halt in all arm sales and transfers to Israel.
Over 250 MEPs and MPs signed a letter to the EU Commission asking for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Read the joint NGO letter to Commissioner Kallas, Suica and Lahbib regarding occupied Palestinian territory and neighbourhood countries.
Información de contacto
Jade Tenwick | Brussels, Belgium | jade.tenwick@oxfam.org | mobile +32 473 56 22 60 | WhatsApp only +32 484 81 22 94
For more information on our work and to see our latest press releases, please visit oxfam.org/eu.
For updates, follow us on Twitter, BlueSky and LinkedIn.
The ICJ issued an advisory opinion last year stating that “all States under obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” and have an “obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. All EU countries and the EU are under this obligation.
Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement states “Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.” Israel’s well-documented violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, violate Article 2.
Beyond suspending this bilateral agreement, the organisations are calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to illegal Israeli occupation, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid and a halt in all arm sales and transfers to Israel.
Over 250 MEPs and MPs signed a letter to the EU Commission asking for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Read the joint NGO letter to Commissioner Kallas, Suica and Lahbib regarding occupied Palestinian territory and neighbourhood countries.
Jade Tenwick | Brussels, Belgium | jade.tenwick@oxfam.org | mobile +32 473 56 22 60 | WhatsApp only +32 484 81 22 94
For more information on our work and to see our latest press releases, please visit oxfam.org/eu.
For updates, follow us on Twitter, BlueSky and LinkedIn.