Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine

20 May 2025- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomes the decision by a clear majority of European Union Member States to support the Dutch initiative calling for a formal review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement under Article 2.
This development constitutes a long-overdue and necessary step toward aligning the European Union’s external action with its foundational principles of human rights, respect for international law, and the rule of law.

The EU-Israel Association Agreement is not a conventional trade instrument. Article 2 places binding legal obligations on both parties, stipulating that respect for human rights and democratic principles constitutes an essential element of the agreement.

There is now extensive and credible documentation by UN bodies, international courts, and civil society organizations pointing to Israel’s systematic and grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, notably East Jerusalem.

The Ministry calls upon EU institutions to proceed without delay with the review process and to apply the necessary legal and political consequences should Israel be found in breach of its obligations under Article 2. This includes, as a matter of legal principle and policy coherence, the suspension of preferential treatment and the adoption of targeted restrictive measures.

The State of Palestine reiterates that impunity must not be tolerated. Upholding the EU’s own legal commitments and ensuring accountability are essential to safeguarding international law and preserving the credibility of the rules-based international order.