BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Former top politicians from several EU countries accuse the EU of inaction regarding Israeli actions against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. “The EU can no longer turn a blind eye to Israel’s illegal actions in Palestine,” said the signatories of an opinion piece, including the former Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel (SPD), ex-Federal Justice Minister Herta Däubler-Gmelin (SPD) and several former heads of government of other EU states.
The terrorist attacks by the Islamist Hamas and other armed groups against Israel on October 7, 2023 were heinous, the signatories made clear. However, the attacks cannot justify the actions by which the Israeli government is devastating the Gaza Strip and systematically violating the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and human rights.
Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 73,000 people since October 2023, including more than 21,500 children. And more than 900 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began last October.
The crux of the matter is the association agreement
The signatories say their contribution supports an initiative of more than 460 former ministers, ambassadors and high-ranking officials. They are all calling for the EU-Israel Association Agreement regarding Israel’s preferential market access to be suspended, exports of goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank to be stopped and the list of those sanctioned for illegal settlement policy to be expanded.
The demands increase pressure on the EU foreign ministers, who want to meet on Monday. A few days later there is also one EU summit of heads of state and government. The issue of sanctions against Israel could be on the agenda at both meetings. However, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) just made it clear that the federal government currently sees no reason for further sanctions against Israel or individual Israeli ministers./trs/DP/stw