The European Union remains deeply divided on the issue of suspending its association agreement with Israel, despite pressure from several member states, including Spain and Ireland. Lacking consensus, no concrete decision was reached at the meeting of foreign ministers.
At Madrid's initiative, Minister José Manuel Albares called for a debate on the total or partial suspension of this agreement, which has been in force since 2000. He argued that "Europe's credibility" was at stake in the face of the situation in the Middle East.
Several countries have expressed concern about settler violence in the West Bank, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and a recent Israeli law on the death penalty. These factors have fueled calls for a review of the relationship between Brussels and Tel Aviv.
However, other member states, including Germany, advocated for maintaining a constructive dialogue with Israel. These differences prevented the emergence of a common position, illustrating the divisions within the bloc on foreign policy issues.
At the end of the discussions, the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the lack of sufficient support to suspend the agreement, while indicating that talks would continue.
This debate highlights the European Union's difficulties in adopting a unified stance in the face of international crises. The evolution of relations with Israel will now depend on the ability of member states to overcome their differences in the coming weeks.
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