The Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, visited Israel and the West Bank from 28 to 30 May. A trip that raises questions, as the Commissioner held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, both of whom are the subject of requests for arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court.
On X, the Commissioner said he was “honoured” to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss “urgent” issues in EU/Israel bilateral relations, the war with Hamas, humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and “the strategic challenge posed to the region by Iran“. Mr Gallant and Mr Várhelyi discussed the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza, the situation in northern Israel and with Lebanon, and Iran.
Asked whether or not the President of the Commission had authorised Mr Várhelyi to visit Israel, spokesman Eric Mamer pointed out that Commissioners did not have to seek the President’s prior approval to meet outside contacts. “Commissioners have portfolios and, in that context, conduct the activities they deem necessary to perform their duties”, he added.
Mr Mamer noted that Mr Várhelyi had met other people and that he had also visited Ramallah. “He dealt with issues relevant to his portfolio and the portfolios of those he spoke to”, added the spokesman.
Discussions on the association agreement
In parallel to the visit, the EU is working on the organisation of an Association Council with Israel, following the agreement on Monday 27 May of the foreign affairs ministers to hold a meeting.
On Thursday 30 May, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, announced that the issue of trade relations with Israel had been discussed at the Trade Council. “It is important to verify whether Israel complies with this agreement (of association with the EU), particularly regarding respect for human rights”, she stressed to the media. The day before, a senior European official had explained to a group of journalists, including Agence Europe, that the Commission had still not responded to the Irish-Spanish request on this subject (see EUROPE 13350/1).
On his arrival at the Council, the Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, said that it was “essential to examine this agreement and the relationship with Israel”. “There are important clauses regarding human rights violations, in relation to our obligations under international law”, he said.
There is still a long way to go before the Association Council meets: Israel will have to agree and the Member States will have to define a common position to support at the meeting. In recent months, on the events in Gaza, the High Representative has not obtained the Member States’ unanimous agreement to issue statements on behalf of the EU27.
Although the Belgian Minister had hoped that the Council could meet before the end of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council, according to the senior official, the meeting will not take place. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Léa Marchal)