Spanish abroad Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.© Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Spain's abroad Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said that Spain would call on EU abroad ministers to "suspension immediately" the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to request a ban on the sale of arms to Israel, citing concerns about human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.
Trade relations between the 27-member bloc and Israel, worth €68 billion ($73 billion), were established under an agreement signed in 1995. The EU is Israel's largest trading partner, liable for about a 3rd of its global trade.In an interview with reporters before the EU abroad Ministers gathering in Brussels on Monday, Albares called for an immediate suspension of the agreement, saying that "It's time for action" and that the continuing violations of human rights in the Gaza Strip require a strong consequence from Europe."If the Association Agreement is based on human rights, the most average thing is that we immediately suspend the Association Agreement today" He said.The minister said he would formally ask to suspend the contract, "embargo for the sale of arms to Israel and a list of persons to whom sanctions are imposed against all who want to be the destroyers of a two-state solution".Spain's demands reflect wider concern across Europe.
The United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands have besides considered imposing trade and arms restrictions on Israel in fresh months.
In May, Head of EU abroad Policy Kaja Kallas said that there is simply a associate State "A vast majority" in favour of reviewing the agreement.The return from 1 of the most faithful supporters of the judaic state follows the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the increasing frustration in Brussels due to Israel's actions.According to a leaked paper from the EU abroad Policy Service, which The Guardian saw before the Monday meeting, Brussels found "tips’, that Israel violates its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.The interior document, prepared for EU abroad ministers, refers to the assessments of the global Court of Justice, the UN Human Rights Office and another UN bodies.
It notes that the findings do not constitute ‘value judgment’ EU officials.The review was reported to have been requested last period by 17 associate States led by the Netherlands, among increasing concerns about Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
EU officials have been asked to measure whether Israel's conduct is consistent with "respect of human rights and democratic principles".This decision followed Israel's blockade and military run in the Gaza Strip, launched in consequence to the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, in which 1,200 people died and which led to the abduction of over 200 hostages.Since then, over 55,600 people have died in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Ministry of wellness of the Enclave.
Israel has besides long faced accusations of war crimes for obstructing humanitarian aid, including the complete blockade imposed after the attacks in October and ongoing restrictions on the entry of food, fuel and medicines into the enclave.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/620330-spain-israel-eu-agreement/
