EU state calls for sanctions on Israelis

Spain is urging Brussels to halt the bloc’s association agreement with Israel “immediately,” according to Foreign Minister Jos Manuel Albares

Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, has said Spain will call on EU foreign ministers to “immediately suspend” the EU‑Israel association agreement and seek a ban on arms sales to Israel, citing concerns of human rights violations in Gaza.

The trade relationship between the 27‑member bloc and Israel, worth €68 billion ($73 billion), is set up under an agreement signed in 1995. The EU is Israel’s largest commercial partner, accounting for roughly one-third of its international trade. 

Speaking to reporters ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting with in Brussels on Monday, Albares called for the immediate suspension of the agreement, saying “this is the time for action” and that continued violations of human rights in Gaza demanded a firm European response.

“If the Association Agreement is based on human rights, it’s the most normal thing that we suspend the Association Agreement immediately today,” he stated.

The minister said he would formally request the suspension of the deal, “an embargo on selling weapons to Israel, and the list of people that are being sanctioned to everyone who wants to be a spoiler of the two-state solution.”

Spain’s demands reflect broader unease across Europe. The UK, France, and the Netherlands have also considered slapping trade and arms restrictions on Israel in recent months. In May, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there was “a strong majority” among member states in favor of reviewing the agreement.

The pivot from one of the Jewish state’s staunchest supporters comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and growing frustration in Brussels over Israel’s actions.

According to a leaked document from the EU foreign policy service seen by The Guardian ahead of the Monday meeting, Brussels has found “indications” that Israel is breaching its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement.

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The internal paper, prepared for EU foreign ministers, references assessments from the International Court of Justice, the UN human rights office, and other UN bodies. It notes that the findings do not represent “a value judgment” by EU officials.

The review was reportedly requested last month by 17 member states led by the Netherlands amid mounting concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza. EU officials were asked to assess whether Israel’s conduct aligns with “respect for human rights and democratic principles.”

The move followed Israel’s blockade and military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that left 1,200 people dead and resulted in the abduction of over 200 hostages.

 Since then, more than 55,600 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry. Israel has also faced longstanding accusations of war crimes for obstructing humanitarian aid, including a total blockade imposed after the October attacks and ongoing restrictions on food, fuel, and medicine entering the enclave.