Palestine's ambassador to Austria calls for suspension of EU-Israel association agreement

14:308/07/2025, Salı
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File photo
File photo

‘Our position is that EU should suspend Association Agreement with Israel until Israel complies with terms of agreement,' says Salah Abdel Shaf

Palestine's Ambassador to Austria Salah Abdel Shafi has called on the EU to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, “until Israel complies with the terms of the agreement.”

Following mounting public pressure, the EU launched a review of the pact on May 20 at the request of the Netherlands, focusing on human rights and international law concerns.

According to media reports, including Euronews, which cited a senior EU diplomat, the review process conducted by the EU's External Action Service has identified “indications” that Israel has violated its human rights obligations through its actions on Gaza.

Member states will decide what course of action the EU will take at the EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled for July 15.


- Israeli violation of EU-Israel Association Agreement

Sharing his views with Anadolu on the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Palestinian Ambassador Shafi described the review of the pact as a positive step, recalling that a report prepared by the EU External Action Service clearly states that Israel had violated the Association Agreement.

Emphasizing that the outcome of the review process is what matters most, he said: “The European Union says that Israel has violated this agreement, and therefore our position is that the EU should suspend the Association Agreement with Israel until Israel complies with the terms of the agreement.”

Shafi recalled that some countries had opposed the suspension of the agreement at the first European Council meeting of foreign ministers, where the issue was discussed, saying: “We are still not fully satisfied with the results, and it is incomprehensible to us that a country's clear violation of its obligations is pointed out, yet the agreement is not suspended. This is again a matter of double standards.”


- Hunger as a weapon of war

As for the argument put forward by EU countries opposed to suspending the agreement that “communication channels must remain open” with Israel in order to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Shafi said that there has been no increase in the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza as a result of the agreement remaining in place.

Pointing out that children in particular are dying of hunger, Shafi added: “People are still being shot at food distribution centers run by the Israeli army and American NGOs. We are not seeing any significant, positive, or meaningful change.”

"Hunger continues to be used as a weapon of war. That is why we believe the European Union has an obligation to suspend its agreement with Israel," he added.

Pointing to polls showing growing public opinion against Israel in addition to protests being held across Europe in support of Palestine, Shafi emphasized that elected governments must take public opinion into account.


- ‘First genocide in history to be broadcast live on television'

“This is the best-documented genocide in history. This is the first genocide in history to be broadcast live on television channels. Therefore, no one can deny the fact that atrocities are being committed in Palestine, especially in Gaza,” the ambassador said.

Recalling that some EU countries have taken steps to recognize the Palestinian state, Shafi noted that the Spanish parliament has voted in favor of imposing an arms embargo on Israel and that port workers have refused to load ships bound for the country.

He emphasized that the pressure to boycott Israel and impose sanctions is growing, stating that no government that claims to be democratic can ignore this public sensitivity.


- Complicity in genocide through arms trade

The ambassador pointed out that once the ongoing genocide filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice rules affirmatively, many countries will be held accountable for their complicity in genocide.

“When such a decision is made, many countries, especially in Europe, including Germany, will be held accountable, as they are Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the US. This constitutes complicity in genocide, not only for the Germans but also for other countries, such as the British and Italians,” Shafi said.

Regarding certain EU member countries officially recognizing Palestine, the ambassador welcomed the development, saying it makes sense to recognize both Israel and Palestine.

“Almost the entire world is discussing the two-state solution.”

#EU
#EU-Israel Association Agreement
#Gaza
#Israel
#Palestine
#Salah Abdel Shafi
#Vienna