The European Union and the Gaza War

The recent war in Gaza has served to highlight the European Union's relations with Israel. Although the genocide in Gaza has embarrassed many EU officials, there are no signs that the European Union is going to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement signed in 2004.

According to this Agreement, Israel became a partner of the European Union within the framework of the EU's European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

According to the ENP Internet site, the European initiative seeks to develop the EU's relations with other states on the basis of "the mutual commitment to common values (democracy and human rights, rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development)."

Although Israel continues to violate all these values and principles on a daily basis and is also the country holding the record of non-compliance of UN resolutions, the EU Council and Commission decided on December 8 to boost the relations between the Union and Israel through the approval of a Protocol to the Agreement.

For the first time, EU foreign ministers spoke of inviting Israel to a bilateral summit and to take part in missions related to its defense policies.

Furthermore, EU ministers decided to put aside a proposed action plan to promote the peace process in the Middle East in 2009, after Israel demanded the EU to do so.

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