Spain closes the failure of the European Union on the Israel Deal – DW – 06/26/2025

In the wake of the cursed European Union review of the human rights registry in Israel in GazaSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized his colleagues for not moving to suspend a trade deal with Israel despite what he called “the catastrophic situation of genocide.”

more than 55,000 Palestinians More than 18 months of Israeli bombing was killed in a pocket, according to the Hamas -run Ghazan authorities. Israel strongly denies the accusations of genocide, while preserving that it is in a state of war with the ruling armed Islamic group agitation After a massive terrorist attack on Israeli soil in 2023.

In a report distributed to member states last week based on the results and allegations of major international bodies, European external work service found “indicators” that Israel was penetrating its duty to respect human rights.

The document, not in general, but available for DW, responded to potential random attacks that affect the civilian population, Israel siege On food and medicine, in addition to attacks on medical facilities as potential Khraines. “There are indications of this Israel The report concluded that it would be in violation of its human rights obligations.

Upon arrival at the European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday, Sanchez said that “more than clearly is that Israel violates Article 2 of the European Union Convention on Israel.”

Sanchez said: “We have obtained 18 packages against Russia for its aggression (in Ukraine) and Europe, with its double standards, unable to suspend the link agreement,” Sanchez said.

Cards suspension

Spain and Ireland are isolated between the 27 European Union countries in calling in public to suspend the entire deal, a step that requires consensus and therefore it was never a dangerous possibility. Greece, Germany, Hungary, Austria and Bulgaria are still Israeli allies.

Berlin in particular has made clear its views Counselor Friedrich Mirz He described the move as “not contained with the (German) federal government.”

Doing this will be a major commercial disturbance, especially for Israel, which buys a third of its commodities from the European Union. The agreement, which has been in force since 2000, covers everything starting from the commercial relationship of both sides – at a value of $ 50 billion every year for goods alone – to political dialogue and cooperation in the field of research and technology.

Another possibility, which only requires a qualified majority of 15 out of 27, is the partial suspension of the deal, for example, its provisions in free trade or the closure of Israel from the European Union’s research financing program. But multiple diplomatic sources told DW that the numbers were not there.

The highest European Union diplomat: The goal of not “punishing Israel”

Earlier in the week, the head of the European Union Foreign Affairs Kaja Calass presented the document to the member states to conduct a first discussion, which actually shows that there will be no immediate movements.

“It is not intended to punish Israel, but for operation Concrete improvements He said on Monday for people and people’s lives in Gaza, if the situation does not improve, we can also discuss more measures and return to this in July.

On Thursday, the leaders of the European Union at the summit only surrounded a “note” of the report in their joint statement, and they did not point to any indication of possible violations of rights, and they said that the ministers must review the issue next month. At the same time, the 27 leaders have exhausted “the terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the unacceptable number of civil losses and hunger levels.”

“There is no issue of foreign policy” more divided than Israel

Spain also calls for a ban on the European Union to sell Weapons to IsraelWith Germany, one of the main suppliers in the country, as well as more sanctions. However, Berlin recently confirmed that it will continue to sell Israel’s weapons, and without Germany on board, this step will not have a major impact.

Some other countries, including Belgium, France and Sweden, have supported additional sanctions on the European Union on Israel, but this also requires consensus.

Ensuring Sanchez, Irish leader Michael Martin said he would tell his colleagues at the top that “the people of Europe find that it is incomprehensible that Europe does not seem to be in a position to pressure Israel.”

According to the Lisa Mesol Group of Research Crisis Group, the maximum pressure will require the prohibition of weapons, Wide -scale penalties Against government members or a full comment of the association’s agreement.

“But there is no European leader who talks about such measures,” Musol said in a written statement. “Perhaps there is no issue for foreign policy within the European Union where member states are divided.”

Iran’s tensions pushing member states to old positions

Last month, I looked for a brief moment like the European Union that was already harmoniously crucified its position. The Dutch suggested reviewing the association’s agreement, and this step was green by most of the European Union countries on May 20.

This came shortly after the issuance of France, Britain and Canada as a rare joint statement to condemn the latest attack by Israel in Gaza and described its restrictions on help as “completely incompatible”, and perhaps in the breach of international humanitarian law.

There was a special feeling that politics could be transformed.

Musiol of Crisis Group said this window has now seemed to be closed. “It seems yet The recent escalation between Israel and Iran“Many member states have fallen into their old positions,” she said.

“Even those member states that were traditional supporters are strong for Israel, but began to be more open or critical, like Germany or ItalyI changed their accent. “

Edited by: Andreas Elmer