Human Rights Watch urges EU officials to condemn Israeli human rights violations at the EU-Israel Association Council meeting. The call for the suspension of the Association Agreement stems from ongoing Israeli abuses. Despite existing sanctions, the EU has been criticized for failing to hold Israel accountable for serious allegations of war crimes.
European Union (EU) officials are urged by Human Rights Watch (HRW) to denounce Israeli actions that violate international law at the upcoming EU-Israel Association Council meeting. This meeting, which will be led by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, aims to address significant human rights concerns raised by multiple organizations.
HRW emphasizes the urgency for the EU to cease its historical reluctance in confronting Israel’s alleged war crimes, including charges of apartheid and genocide. This follows a request from Spain and Ireland for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to Israel’s serious human rights abuses, which has yet to receive a response.
The Association Council is the EU’s primary occasion for discussions with Israel, resuming after a decade-long hiatus caused by Israel’s discontent over EU criticisms related to its settlement policies in Occupied Territories. Claudio Francavilla of HRW stressed that there can be no normal relations with a government accused of heinous crimes, demanding that the current meeting focus on accountability.
Over 100 civil society organizations are rallying behind HRW’s call for a reevaluation of the Association Agreement, which is contingent on adherence to human rights standards as stipulated in Article 2 of the treaty. Unfortunately, the EU has yet to take concrete actions against Israeli authorities despite numerous documented abuses during the Gaza conflict, which include alleged war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
HRW noted that the EU’s mechanisms require unanimous consent from its 27 member states to enact any punitive measures. Several EU foreign ministers have criticized the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for high-ranking Israeli officials, highlighting the divergent actions of EU states regarding these serious allegations.
Despite sanctioning Israeli settlers, the EU refrains from holding the Israeli government accountable for enabling abuse. Additionally, EU states still sell weapons to Israel, increasing their potential complicity in these alleged war crimes. Furthermore, Israel’s smear campaigns have led the EU to curtail its support for the UN Relief and Works Agency, which is crucial for Palestinian refugees.
In summary, HRW is urging the EU to confront Israeli actions that constitute serious human rights violations. The upcoming EU-Israel Association Council meeting serves as a critical platform for this discussion. There is growing pressure on the EU to suspend its association with Israel due to documented abuses, while internal disagreements and a lack of concrete measures raise concerns about the EU’s commitment to human rights.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
