DaysofPal- Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense, Simon Harris, has called for a review of the European Union’s Association Agreement with the Israeli occupation, citing concerns over human rights violations in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Harris emphasized that the EU-Israel partnership agreement contains clauses that explicitly link the relationship to respect for human rights.
“These clauses state that the relationship must be based on respect for human rights,” he wrote. “These words must mean something. The agreement should be reviewed. The world is doing almost nothing.”
Harris said he intends to raise the issue with his European counterparts and stressed the collective responsibility of EU leaders to act.
“We must do everything possible to stop the violence, increase humanitarian aid, and push for the release of hostages,” he added.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, signed in 1995 and implemented in 2000, forms the legal framework for political, economic, and trade relations between the two sides. Article 2 of the agreement states that relations shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.
Calls for reevaluating the agreement have intensified in several EU countries amid mounting civilian casualties and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
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