Ireland says Israel ‘violating human rights,’ urges EU to suspend agreement

Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee on Tuesday urged the European Union to take action against what she called “a country that is very clearly violating human rights,” calling for 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, Spain, and Slovenia had written to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas requesting a review and possible suspension of the agreement in light of Middle East developments.

Death penalty bill and settlements

“We need to, as an EU, uphold our fundamental values,” McEntee said, stressing that countries with EU agreements must comply with international law. She referred to Israel’s recent death penalty bill, which she said disproportionately targets Palestinians, calling it “completely unacceptable.” On that basis, she said the three countries requested “a suspension of the Israeli agreement, if not, then a suspension of the trade elements.” She also pointed to the approval of 34 new settlements in recent weeks and an escalation in violence in the West Bank.

Growing shift among EU leaders

McEntee noted a growing shift among EU leaders, citing “clear dissatisfaction and annoyance” with Israel’s recent actions. “We are witnessing and experiencing an unprecedented and unacceptable escalation of violence in the West Bank,” she said, adding that EU members must respond collectively to have a meaningful impact. The call adds to mounting European pressure on Israel over its policies in the occupied territories.