On Thursday 26 June, the twenty-seven Heads of State or Government of the European Union are expected to reaffirm the conclusions adopted at previous European summits on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The possible revision of the EU-Israel Association Agreement should be postponed until the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday 15 July.
In draft conclusions dated Tuesday 24 June, a copy of which Agence Europe has obtained, the European Council “deplores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation”. According to the draft, European leaders would once again call for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages, with the aim of a permanent end to hostilities with the terrorist group Hamas.
The EU Council should urge Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, to allow unhindered humanitarian access, and to authorise the UN, its agencies and humanitarian organisations to intervene independently and impartially.
The European Council should also insist on Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, in particular the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers and civilian infrastructures such as hospitals, schools and UN premises.
EU-Israel Association Agreement. The draft text also mentions the ongoing examination of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and invites the EU Council to continue discussions in July, with a view to possible follow-up.
“There is no consensus on the wording”, a European diplomat was keen to clarify on Wednesday. “Mr Costa has proposed a text and all the Member States have agreed to hold talks with Israel, because there is a major problem in Gaza, but we should not expect the agreement to be suspended”, he added.
“A dialogue with Israel is underway. A return meeting is scheduled for July, when the ministers will assess the situation on the ground”, said another European diplomat on Wednesday.
On Thursday, EU leaders will be confronted with the report presented by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on indications of violations of Article 2 by Israel (see EUROPE 13665/3).
Another European source estimated on Wednesday that there was neither unanimity in the EU Council in favour of suspending the Association Agreement, nor a two-thirds majority in favour of certain actions. According to this source, " as long as the discussion remains inconclusive, proposing a measure would actually risk deepening the divisions between the Member States ".
West Bank and East Jerusalem. The draft conclusions reiterate the EU27’s condemnation of the escalation of violence, particularly linked to the increase in attacks by extremist settlers, the extension of illegal settlements and the Israeli military operation.
European leaders should reiterate their call to the EU Council to take forward work on additional restrictive measures against extremist settlers and the entities and organisations that support them. The European Council is also expected to call for further work on restrictive measures against Hamas.
See the draft conclusions dated 24 June: https://aeur.eu/f/hjx (Original version in French Bernard Denuit, with the editorial staff)