Last month, a group of 35 European trade union organisations sent a letter to the European Commission with demand to fulfil its obligations and review the Israeli government’s compliance with article two of the EU-Israel Association Agreement (so called `human rights`clause).

On February 25th the EU-Israel Association Council meeting is scheduled to take place in Brussels. 

The EU-Israel Association Agreement is the main treaty regulating relations between the EU and Israel. The Association Agreement facilitates largely unrestricted trade between the EU and Israel and allows Israel and its military companies to participate in more EU programs and projects than any other non-European country. 

Article 2 of the Association Agreement states that: “Relations between the Parties…shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles (…) which constitutes an essential element of this Agreement”.

The International Courts have ruled that the Israeli government has repeatedly violated international law and have issued arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and former defence secretary. In February last year, Ireland and Spain officially requested the Commission to assess Israel`s compliance with art 2 of the treaty.  Yet the European Commission has failed to take any steps to even assess whether the Association Agreement has been breached.

The EU should suspend its Association Agreement with Israel. It has taken similar actions in the past against 15 countries, for far less serious crimes!

Take action NOW! Pressure your government to raise Israel’s violation of article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at the upcoming meeting with Israeli officials in Brussels on February 25th!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

It’s time to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement!

Individual Member States have a responsibility to act!