The European Union has taken a notable diplomatic turn in its relationship with Israel, launching a formal review of their long-standing Association Agreement in response to Israel’s intensifying military campaign in Gaza and its failure to lift a two-month-long blockade on humanitarian aid. The move marks one of the most significant steps yet taken by the bloc since the beginning of the war in Gaza, ignited by the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
At the heart of the controversy lies Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a sweeping trade and political pact in force since 2000. Article 2 clearly stipulates that relations between the parties “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.” These values are described as “an essential element” of the agreement. With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening and aid convoys stalled or throttled, 17 of the EU’s 27 foreign ministers have now decided that it is time to take a closer look at whether Israel’s conduct still aligns with those principles.
The initiative to trigger the review was originally spearheaded by the Netherlands—an unexpected twist given the country’s traditional alignment with Israel. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp tabled the proposal earlier this month, citing Israel’s prolonged blockade on Gaza as a violation of international humanitarian law and therefore a breach of Article 2. The proposal gained momentum quickly, with public backing from Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden before Tuesday’s decisive meeting in Brussels.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, confirmed the outcome with characteristic directness: “It is clear from today’s discussions that there is a strong majority in favour of a review of Article 2 of our Association Agreement with Israel. We will launch this review, and in the meantime, it is up to Israel to release more humanitarian aid.”
The review is no small matter. The EU is Israel’s single largest trading partner, with the volume of bilateral trade exceeding €45 billion annually. While any suspension of the agreement is unlikely in the immediate future, even the initiation of a formal review sends a clear political message: Israel’s conduct in Gaza is no longer above scrutiny in Brussels.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated drastically since the beginning of the year. Following an Israeli military incursion into Rafah, the last relatively safe zone in the enclave, aid routes were severely restricted. The Kerem Shalom crossing was shut for weeks, and only a trickle of supplies has made it through since it was partially reopened. International aid agencies have warned of looming famine and described conditions in parts of Gaza as “hellish.”
In response, several European capitals have voiced growing frustration. The Irish and Spanish governments first proposed re-evaluating ties with Israel 15 months ago, but at the time they were largely ignored. Now, even countries like Denmark, Estonia, and Slovakia have joined the call. Austria, Israel’s staunch ally within the bloc, notably refrained from voicing opposition, a sign that even close friends are hesitant to defend the blockade.
The political climate in Europe is shifting. Beyond the trade agreement review, there is another growing front: targeted sanctions. On Tuesday, 26 of the 27 EU member states backed a proposal to impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The only holdout was Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government continuing to act as Tel Aviv’s most reliable shield in the EU arena. Nevertheless, the proposal’s broad support reflects mounting consensus that Israel’s actions are destabilizing the region and pushing the limits of international law.
Even more striking was a remark by Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, who floated the idea of EU sanctions against individual Israeli ministers—an unprecedented move that, if realized, would send shockwaves through Israel’s political establishment.
Meanwhile, the UK has also hardened its tone. London suspended bilateral trade talks and summoned the Israeli ambassador following what it called an “intolerable” offensive in Gaza. This coordinated chorus of condemnation—including joint warnings from Britain, France, and Canada threatening “concrete actions” if Israel does not halt its campaign—has put increasing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The EU’s response to the war in Gaza has been uneven since its onset. Some countries, like Germany and Hungary, have firmly supported Israel’s right to defend itself. Others, such as Ireland and Spain, have consistently called for greater restraint and more humanitarian access. The decision to move forward with a formal review of the Association Agreement may not bridge those differences, but it does signal a new phase: one in which Brussels no longer sees itself as merely an observer.
Whether this review leads to concrete punitive measures remains to be seen. But the political symbolism is undeniable. A red line has been drawn, and the EU is now prepared to hold Israel to account—not with slogans, but with the clauses of the very agreements that underpin their relationship. In the dry language of trade pacts and foreign ministries, a diplomatic storm is brewing.
