More than 350 former European officials, including ministers, ambassadors, and senior European Union staff, have called for the suspension of the EU’s partnership agreement with Israel over what they described as grave human rights violations against Palestinians.
In an open letter issued Wednesday, the signatories said Israel continues policies of “subjugation” and the “illegal occupation” of Palestinian land, while expanding settlements, escalating violence, and advancing legislation targeting Palestinians. They also pointed to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
Among those who signed the letter were former EU foreign policy chief and former European Parliament president Josep Borrell and other senior European figures.
The officials said the Israeli government is violating the core principles on which the European Union was founded, stressing that it bears both legal and moral responsibility as an occupying power.
They added that such actions contradict Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which states that respect for human rights and democratic principles forms the basis of bilateral relations.
The agreement, signed in 1995 and entering into force in June 2000, serves as the legal framework governing ties between both sides and underpins trade cooperation. The European Union remains Israel’s largest trading partner.
The signatories also criticized the EU for delaying meaningful action, urging decisive measures amid rising tensions in the Middle East and widespread violations of international law.
They noted that previous calls from members of the European Parliament for similar steps were ignored, citing internal divisions and political reluctance to impose sanctions.
The former officials said the failure to apply measures similar to those taken against other parties reflects what they called a “double standard.”
The appeal comes as pressure continues to grow within European political circles to reassess relations with Israel in light of ongoing developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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