European Union approves partial suspension of partnership agreement with Israel.
Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special
The European Union Approves a Partial Suspension of the Partnership Agreement with Israel Brussels – Sea of Arabs In an unprecedented move, the European Commission proposed today, Wednesday, a partial suspension of the trade protocol within the partnership agreement between the European Union and Israel, in addition to freezing bilateral support. This direction comes in response to the sharp deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the accompanying popular and political pressure within Europe. During the "State of the Union" session before the European Parliament, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the suspension points include freezing trade facilities for Israel and halting part of the financial support directed to it, without prejudice to any cooperation with Israeli civil society institutions, such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center. The Commission's spokesperson also revealed that Israel may be temporarily prevented from participating in the European scientific research program "Horizon Europe," especially through the European Innovation Council (EIC), if the humanitarian situation in Gaza escalates, amid an urgent need to obtain a qualified majority from member states to approve this measure. The motives for the decision appear to be popular and political pressure within Europe, with escalating protests and political condemnations due to the war in Gaza, and an attempt to save the credibility of the Union as a project based on values and principles, not just interests. This is considered an independent move by the Commission despite the divisions among member states, where a clear majority is not yet available. There will certainly be challenges in implementing the decision, including the need for a qualified majority of member states (15 out of 27, representing 65% of the Union's population) to officially approve the suspension of the agreement, while major countries such as Germany or Italy oppose this. It is clear that there is a clear division within the Union between supporters of sanctions and those who fear their impact on political and trade relations. At the same time, human rights warnings are being issued that the step may not be sufficient, describing the hesitation as a "betrayal" of the European project and human rights. The likely scenario is an actual suspension of the trade protocol, tangible economic pressure on vital Israeli sectors (technology, medicine, agriculture), and weakening of academic and research cooperation by losing funding worth hundreds of millions of euros, and delays in joint projects. This is a strategic shift in European policy that strengthens Europe as a leading partner based on values, not just interests, but the fragmentation of European unity may be the most important challenge currently, as some countries continue to defend dialogue with Israel despite legal and human rights observations. Freezing the protocol with Israel is not only an economic option, but a strategic political declaration from the European Union confirming that the relationship with Israel is conditional on adherence to international law and human rights. The decision, although not yet fully implemented, carries a strong message: the Union will not remain silent in the face of humanitarian abuses, and is ready to use economic and diplomatic tools if necessary. If implemented, it will be one of the most prominent milestones in the transformation of Europe's relationship with the Middle East in decades.
