A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has found "indications" that Israel breached its human rights obligations with actions in Ga
A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has found "indications" that Israel breached its human rights obligations with actions in Gaza. Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip indicate a breach of the human rights provisions contained in its Association Agreement with the European Union, a highly anticipated review from the bloc's diplomatic service has found, citing a collection of findings by independent international organisations. The breach stems from Israel's war on Gaza and the stringent conditions applied to the deliveries of humanitarian aid, which have stoked fears of widespread famine among Palestinians living in the densely populated enclave. It also covers Israel's decades-long occupation of the West Bank, where settlers have engaged in violent acts. Europeans have reacted with shock and fury at reports of Palestinians being killed by the Israeli army while waiting for supplies at distribution sites. The review was conducted by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and sent to member states on Friday under a restrictive format to avoid leaks. "There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement," a senior diplomat told Euronews, quoting the conclusions contained in the document. According to the diplomat, the review speaks about the blockade of humanitarian assistance, military strikes against hospitals, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, the expansion of settlements, which are illegal under international law, in the Occupied Territories, and the violence committed by settlers. The violations are described as numerous and serious. The internal exercise was launched last month at the request of 17 countries, led by the Netherlands, to determine whether Israel was still complying with Article 2 of the Association Agreement, which states bilateral relations "shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this agreement". Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden backed the Dutch call. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Lithuania were against, and Latvia adopted a "neutral" position, sources said then.
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They needed a review? I could have told them that. Israel has been in breach of Article 2 for decades. This review should have happened decades ago.
