Germany remains opposed to the suspension of the association agreement between the EU and Israel, a decision which can only be taken unanimously by the Twenty-Seven. At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, the European Commission proposed suspending only the trade aspect of the text – only a qualified majority of member states would then be necessary.

Published on: 04/21/2026 - 5:09 p.m. Modified on: 04/22/2026 - 04:57

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Germany confirmed, on Tuesday April 21, its refusal to suspend the association agreement between Israel and the European Union, despite calls to this effect from other European Union countries, including Spain.

At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Italy also deemed this suspension "not useful".

“We consider this inappropriate,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul upon his arrival in Luxembourg. “We need to talk about crucial issues with Israel,” but “this must be done in a critical and constructive dialogue with Israel, which is what we stand for,” he added.

This refusal by Germany prevents the suspension of this agreement, a decision which requires the unanimity of the Twenty-Seven.

See alsoWhat is the association agreement with Israel that Brussels wants to re-examine?

For his part, the head of Italian diplomacy Antonio Tajani reaffirmed his skepticism. “I don't believe that blocking a trade deal is a useful tool, because it amounts to hitting the entire Israeli population,” he said.

Antonio Tajani instead recommended "individual" sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank.

“Our credibility will be lost”

“If we don't do it, our credibility will be lost,” said his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares regarding the suspension of this association agreement, which entered into force in 2000.

Spain would like to break this agreement. Alongside it, Ireland and Slovenia also signed a joint letter requesting a “re-examination” of the text.

"We must act. We must ensure that our fundamental values ​​are protected," said Irish Minister Helen McEntee.

The attitude of Europeans has hardened after the war in Gaza, the latest Israeli offensives in Lebanon and the vote on a law establishing the death penalty targeting only Palestinians, three weeks ago.

Also read: Israel: the death penalty targeting the Palestinians, a retaliation law with electoral aims

Suspend the only commercial aspect?

“What else needs to happen for the European Union to be shaken by the systematic violations of international law and human rights committed by Israel?”, launched the head of Spanish diplomacy.

In addition to suspending the agreement as a whole, the European Commission has also proposed to the Twenty-Seven to suspend only its commercial aspect, which can be decided by a qualified majority of Member States.

The latter have already debated it, but without managing to find this majority, which requires at least 15 Member States representing 65% of the EU population.

“If the opinion of the Member States has changed, then we can move forward with these decisions,” EU head of diplomacy Kaja Kallas cautiously declared on Tuesday in Luxembourg.

The EU is Israel's largest trading partner, to which Germany notably sells weapons.

The European Commission proposed sanctions against these settlers several months ago, but a veto by Hungary has so far prevented a decision. Europeans hope that Viktor Orban's electoral defeat changes the situation, but they still have to wait for the new government to come to power to verify this.

France and Sweden, for their part, called in a joint letter to restrict imports from Israeli colonies established in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. “We believe that the EU must urgently increase pressure on Israel,” according to the text of this letter.

With AFP

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