Over 250 Parliamentarians from 17 EU countries urge the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel

by ECCP
Over 250 Parliamentarians from 17 EU countries called for the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel citing Israel`s breaches of the art 2, so called `human rights` clause of the treaty.
"In over a year, Israeli forces have killed over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza (including 17,000 children), injured 100,000, and displaced nearly all of the occupied area’s population, while denying the access of food, water, medicine and basic necessities for survival leading to a catastrophic humanitarian situation, starvation, famine and the spread of disease," they said in the letter.
The signatories are particularly concerned about the European Commission’s `failure to act` as a Guardian of the Treaty in ensuring the full and consistent implementation of existing EU legislation, in the context of the ICJ Advisory Opinion, ICJ ruling stating the plausibility that Israel is carrying out acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. as well as relevant UN resolutions and reports.
The letter comes ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled to take place in Brussels on January 27th as well as the EU-Israel Association Council meeting planned for February 25th and amid growing frustration concerning the European Commission`s inaction.
On January 20th, a group of 34 European trade unions, including big confederations denounced European Commission’s failure to act in assessing Israel`s compliance with art 2, so called `human rights`clause of the Association Agreement with Israel. A coalition of over 200 European NGOs and trade unions launched a campaign in September 2024 calling for the suspension of the Association Agreement with Israel.

 Read the full letter.

Petition: Stop European funding for Israeli institutions

by European Scholars for Human Rights
Israel's war on Gaza is causing previously unseen levels of death and destruction amongst the Palestinian people, already suffering from decades of illegal occupation and apartheid. While Palestinian universities are being deliberately annihilated by the Israeli military, Israeli academic institutions continue to enjoy a privileged status as partners of European science, receiving over €2.8 billion in EU research funding since 2007.
Israeli universities, far from being stalwarts of “academic freedom”, have been an integral part of the Israeli settler-colonial project since their inception. They produce scholarship that seeks to normalize and legitimize crimes committed by the State of Israel, they develop technology and strategies that are deployed by the Israeli military on Palestinians, and they undermine academic freedom by repressing critical Jewish and Arab voices in their own institutions.
Plausible evidence of Israel’s crimes has been found and is being pursued by both international courts (ICC, ICJ) and by the UN, which now considers Israel to be an entity “committing violations against children”. Yet, Israel continues to enjoy access to EU research funding as a privileged “associated country” in Horizon Europe and other programs, and many European institutions are refusing to act to cut these ties.

 2000+ signatures. Read the full petition.

European call: Suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement!

by ECCP
Brussels, Friday, 20 September 2024 – Today over 160 European organisations, faith groups and trade unions launched a statement directed at the EU and its member states calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and all related agreements until Israel abides by international law and implements ICJ rulings and advisory opinion.
On January 26th 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the current conduct of Israel in Gaza constituted a risk of genocide and ordered Israel to take immediate measures to prevent it. On March 28th, the ICJ ordered Israel again to implement these provisional measures. On May 24th, the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah and open the Rafah crossing for unhindered provision of services and aid. All these orders, which are legally binding upon States, have been ignored by Israel.
Israel’s current assault on Gaza has resulted in massive civilian casualties (with over 40,000 killed and more than 95,000 injuries), the extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and repeated forced mass displacement of the majority of the population. Most hospitals have been systematically bombed and destroyed by Israel, whereas medical staff repeatedly targeted and killed.
Therefore over 160 European organisations, urge all stakeholders to urgently take action to bring about the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and all the related agreements, until Israel complies with international law and international humanitarian law, and implements the ICJ rulings and advisory opinion.

 View the list of endorsing organisations.