Ireland, Spain push EU to suspend Israel deal over human rights concerns

Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee on Tuesday called for the European Union to take action against what she described as a "country that is very clearly violating human rights," urging the suspension of the EU-Israel agreement or, at a minimum, its trade provisions. Speaking to journalists ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, McEntee said Ireland, alongside Spain and Slovenia, had written to the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling for a review and possible suspension of the agreement with Israel in light of developments in the Middle East. "We need to, as an EU, uphold our fundamental values," McEntee said, stressing that countries the bloc has agreements with must comply with international law and human rights obligations. She referred to the recent Israeli death penalty bill, which she said disproportionately targeted Palestinians, calling the move "completely unacceptable." She added that there was a growing shift among EU leaders, noting "clear dissatisfaction and annoyance" with Israel's recent actions. Read: Israel says to use 'full force' in Lebanon despite truce if soldiers face threat The Irish minister also pointed to what she described as a worsening situation in the occupied West Bank, citing the approval of 34 new settlements in recent weeks and an escalation in violence. "We are witnessing and experiencing an unprecedented and unacceptable escalation of violence in the West Bank," McEntee said, adding that EU members must respond collectively to have a meaningful impact. On that basis, McEntee said, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain had requested "a suspension of the Israeli agreement, if not, then a suspension of the trade elements" of the deal. Spain Spain on Tuesday warned that the EU risks losing credibility if it failed to take stronger action against Israel, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. “Our credibility is at stake,” Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said, urging the bloc to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel over alleged violations of international law. In May 2025, the bloc agreed to review the deal. A month later, the European Commission said it found “indications” that Israel may be breaching its human rights obligations but did not propose any measures in response. Since then, he said, the situation has gotten “much worse.” Read More: Israeli soldier's desecration of crucifix in south Lebanon draws condemnation “In Lebanon, we are seeing indiscriminate bombing of civilians and orders forcing people to leave their homes and not return,” he said, also referring to attacks on UN peacekeepers, including the detention of a Spanish soldier serving with the UNIFIL mission. Albares pointed to rising violence by occupiers in the West Bank and criticised what he described as discriminatory laws, including the application of the death penalty “exclusively to Palestinians.” In Gaza, he said there have been “systematic violations” of the ceasefire, with uncertainty over progress toward a second phase. Belgium The Belgian foreign minister said on Tuesday that Israel’s actions were “totally unacceptable,” calling for stronger EU measures on sanctions and foreign policy. “The reaction of Israel is totally problematic and condemnable,” Maxime Prevost said during a doorstep statement at the European Convention Centre in Luxembourg. He said Israel’s response in the Middle East was “disproportionate and indiscriminate.” Also Read: European Left Alliance urges EU ministers to suspend Israel agreement He said Ukraine remains a top international priority, announcing an additional €100 million (nearly $108 million) funding for the Pearl program, and urged EU partners to remain attentive to developments involving Belarus. Prevost said he hoped recent political developments in Hungary could help advance EU financial support mechanisms for Ukraine and accelerate sanctions-related decisions. He also said humanitarian crises such as those in Sudan must remain on the EU agenda, describing the situation as one of the most severe currently unfolding. The Belgian minister questioned whether the EU’s current approach of maintaining an “equidistant position” between parties in some conflicts remains the most effective, suggesting that stronger measures, including sanctions, may be necessary. Referring to the Middle East, Prevost said the situation remains “deeply concerning,” recalling a recent visit to Beirut where he witnessed the humanitarian impact of the conflict. He said he supports renewed dialogue between Israel and Lebanon, noting recent steps toward direct engagement. On Palestine, he said Belgium has called for a partial suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement, citing concerns over settlement expansion and rising violence, and arguing that these developments raise questions regarding EU values and commitments. Hungary's new PM-elect and Turkiye have also called for Benjamin Netanyahu's arrest under the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant sent out in 2024 for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Turkiye also prepared an indictment against 35 suspects, including Netanyahu, over an armed intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza last year.

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