Spain, Slovenia, Ireland Seek EU Debate on Suspending Israel Agreement

The three countries argued that Israel was in breach of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which links relations to respect for human rights. They noted that an earlier EU review had found Israel was failing to meet those obligations, and the situation had deteriorated further since then.

During a donor conference in Brussels, Kaja Kallas said the estimated cost of rebuilding Gaza had risen to $71 billion.

first pushed for a review of the agreement in 2024, but the effort did not gain sufficient backing from member states supportive of Israel. A later Dutch-led initiative triggered an EU assessment, which concluded Israel had likely breached its obligations under the pact.

Possible trade measures were discussed but not implemented after Israel pledged to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Ireland is seeking to revive its Occupied Territories Bill, first introduced in 2018, which would ban trade in goods and services from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank.

The bill has unanimous backing in the lower house of parliament but progress has stalled. Slovenia banned imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied territories in August 2025, becoming one of the first European states to take such a step. Spain followed with a decree banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements, effective at the start of 2026.

three countries formally recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024, in a coordinated move aimed at increasing pressure for a two-state solution. The joint letter called for bold and immediate action from the EU, stating that the bloc can no longer remain on the sidelines and that all options should remain on the table.