Latest news with #EUIsraelAgreement
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Taoiseach calls on ‘strong EU response' to Israel over war in Gaza
It is 'incomprehensible' to European citizens that the bloc does not seem to be in a position to pressure Israel to stop the war in Gaza, the Taoiseach has said. Micheál Martin said he would be raising the 'dire, catastrophic humanitarian situation' in Gaza with other EU leaders during a high-level meeting in Brussels on Thursday. Advertisement He said the situation 'cries out for a strong political response from Europe', adding that he will call on his counterparts to consider the EU-Israel Association Agreement. A review of the agreement found indications that Israel had breached human rights obligations contained within the deal. Mr Martin has previously said he wants the agreement to be suspended after saying Israel has 'clearly broken' the human rights clauses. However, he said there are historical reasons why some member states have differing perspectives on the matter, but added: 'From a humanitarian perspective, it is incomprehensible what is going on, what continues to go on, and Europe needs to really articulate that in the strongest possible way.' Advertisement He said Israel should respect 'all clauses' of its association agreement with the EU, including those on human rights. Mr Martin said other countries, for example, the UK, Norway and Canada, had issued further sanctions against settlers in the West Bank and against Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. 'These are issues that the European Union should look at, as well as the Association Agreement.' Mr Martin told reporters: 'I will be saying to my European colleagues that the people of Europe find it incomprehensible that Europe does not seem to be in a position to pressure on Israel and leverage on Israel to stop this war in Gaza, to stop the continuing slaughter of children and innocent civilians. Advertisement 'The war must stop. 'There must be a humanitarian response and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza and an end to the blockade.' Mr Martin said Ireland will be seeking to pursue mechanisms to ensure that 'this war stops and that humanitarian aid gets in urgently to Gaza'. Asked about Israel's criticism of the review as 'outrageous', Mr Martin said: 'Israel needs to stop denouncing every report that comes out using objective criteria to describe the situation in Gaza. Advertisement 'It's not an outrage. 'The review, in some respects, some could argue, is quite a modest document that seeks to objectively present the facts in relation to Gaza.' 'But it avoids emotional language and so on, so I think that kind of tactic and pattern of undermining those who would even question what's happening in Gaza, that also has to stop.'
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
EU finds ‘indications' Israel is breaching key human rights agreement in Gaza
People attend a protest in support of Palestinians outside a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) BRUSSELS — The European Union says there are ″indications″ that Israel's actions in Gaza are violating human rights obligations in the agreement governing its ties with the EU — but the block was divided Monday over what to do in response. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas presented a review of Israel's compliance with to foreign minsters of the 27-member bloc in Brussels on Monday, leading at least one country to openly propose suspending the agreement. 'There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement,' according to the review by the EU's diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press. The review detailed allegations by the International Court of Justice and agencies of the United Nations that Israel had likely broken international humanitarian law in Gaza on multiple levels by cutting off life-saving food and supplies, targeting journalists, and attacking densely-populated areas with 'weapons with wide area effects.' Suspending ties would require a unanimous decision, which is likely impossible to obtain from countries like Austria, Germany and Hungary that tend to back Israel. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Monday in Brussels that Berlin is against suspension of the agreement. Other actions — such as ending visa-free travel to Europe for Israelis, sanctioning Israeli settlers in the West Bank or halting academic partnerships — could be pushed if a 'qualified majority' — 15 of the 27 nations representing at least 65 per cent of the population of the EU — agree. Kallas said that trade from the parts of the occupied West Bank with 'violent settlers' does not 'benefit of the trade relationship the beneficial trade relationship that we have between Israel and European Union.' Countries like the Netherlands, Ireland and Spain have been vocal in their support for the Palestinians in Gaza as Israel battles Hamas. 'When all the focus is on Iran and the escalation regarding Iran, we should not forget about Gaza,' said Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp, who led the charge for the review. The EU review 'clearly showed that Israel has violated Article 2 of this agreement, which concerns respect for human rights,' said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. 'Consequences will have to be drawn at the next foreign affairs ministers meeting in July,' he said. Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostages. About 56,000 Palestinians have since been killed, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and little relatively aid has entered since Israel ended the latest ceasefire in March. Outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza has grown in Europe as images of suffering Palestinians have driven protests in London, Berlin, Brussels, Madrid and Amsterdam. Spain has canceled arms deals with Israel and called for an arms embargo. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno on Monday called for suspending the EU-Israel agreement. 'The time for words and declarations is behind. We had enough time,' he told the meeting. 'And at the same time, Palestinians in Gaza have no more time to lose. Every day, babies, women, men are being killed. This is the time for action.' Manuel Albares also called for an embargo on EU countries selling weapons to Israel and for the widening of individual sanctions on anyone undermining the proposed two-state solution. 'Europe must show courage,' he told journalists. Like Spain, Ireland is of the view that the Association Agreement should be suspended, Simon Harris, the Irish minister for foreign affairs, said. By Sam Mcneil And Ella Joyner. Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in The Hague contributed to this report.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Italy against suspending EU-Israel accord, foreign minister says
ROME: Italy is against a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement over alleged human rights violations in Gaza, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday. 'Our position is different from that of Spain,' Tajani said on the sidelines of a meeting with EU colleagues in Brussels, referring to Spain's support for a suspension of the deal. Tajani said it was important to keep relations open with Israel, saying that this had facilitated the evacuation of some civilians out of Gaza.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, June 23rd: On the EU and Israel, organ donation and tattoos
Sir, – Today, the EU foreign ministers are to meet to discuss whether the EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended, in whole or part, due to Israel's failure to meet human rights obligations. The review recommendations indicate Israel has failed to meet their human rights obligations, as they relate to their actions in Gaza. And yet all indications are that because there will not be consensus among the EU foreign ministers, they will provide a further month to see if Israel will change its posture on provision of aid to Gaza. This approach beggars belief. For the past 20 months Israel has faced innumerable 'red lines' from world governments and bodies, and ignored them with impunity. READ MORE On May 19th, Canada, France and the UK indicated there would be 'concrete actions' if Israel did not permit aid entering Gaza – we still await! On June 10th Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway placed financial sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir (national security minister), and Bezalel Smotrich (finance minister) – big swing! Yet every time it appears that taking firm action is close, Israel changes the narrative; the latest 'Israel is threatened by Iran', and the world shrinks back to the position of 'Israel has the right to defend itself'. While this occurs, Gaza slips further from public consciousness. The result being the killing and starvation continues unabated, and where aid posts appear to have become the new killing fields for the IDF. The EU foreign ministers must act with decisiveness today. Similarly, equally decisive action must come from EU leaders on Thursday. Failure to do so will indicate the EU leaders and politicians, our leaders, have parked their humanity. – Yours, etc, PHILIP BRADY, Donnycarney, Dublin 9. Sir, – Jane Mahony suggests in her letter (June 20th) that Trinity College is anti-Semitic and racist for singling out Israel, while maintaining ties with other unnamed countries with well documented human rights and international law violations. To suggest what Israel is doing in Gaza is comparable to what other unnamed countries are doing is a gross understatement of the atrocities Israel is carrying out on a daily basis. The slaughter of civilians, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the constant dehumanisation of Palestinians, are actions which Israelis and Israel's supporters should be ashamed of. Trinity's actions will at a minimum help to raise awareness with some Israelis of what their government are doing, while conveying the horror of many of us as we continue to watch the atrocities unfold. In the grand scheme of things, a small but brave step – the world could do with more of these. Yours, etc, MARTIN FOLAN, Leixlip, Co Kildare. New rules on organ donation Sir, – The new rules underpinning organ donation and transplant in Ireland, on which matter I was kindly quoted in a report online (' What are the new rules around organ donation in Ireland and what if I want to opt out ?', June 17th) are welcome but, as as observed by Dr Liam O'Neill (Letters, June 20th), are unlikely to boost activity in this literally vital realm. There is indeed a logical argument that they might reduce it. At present, ICU doctors aim to seek family consent from all potential organ donors and data shows that we largely achieve this. Henceforth, we will only seek consent in the case of patients not on the register. It is not obvious that significantly higher rates of acquiescence will result from these fewer requests. The point made by Dr O'Neill that, to match the best in the world, which he sees as 'the Spanish system', will require 'higher levels of Government support, investment and transplant infrastructure' is fair but there are cultural factors that also apply. Ireland is a very litigious society and this discourages doctors from taking on high-risk cases. This is a rational viewpoint that runs through our practice but that is not conducive to pushing the limits of medical innovation. We doctors may need to become braver. Another trend in recent years is that life-expectancy in Ireland has increased significantly, with safer roads and better outcomes from stroke among the factors. These disasters were major sources of donor organs. The consideration of older, less robust donors is becoming necessary. Notably, in recent years the US has soared in terms of international transplant activity reports. This appears to be good news, but the unfortunate reality is that the opioid epidemic there which has caused so many deaths has been the source of many donations. One must recall that organ donation is underpinned by tragic deaths of donors, and so be careful what we wish for. The priority of preventing those deaths in the first place is surely the most fundamental one. However, given the altruism of Irish people there is much to be optimistic about and I have no doubt we can achieve higher levels of transplantation. Investment in ICU beds and better theatre access are key targets. Currently, organ donation is the outcome of about 0.3 per cent of deaths it Ireland, and about 0.6 per cent of those in Spain. Approximating the rates of the latter country would enable us to greatly reduce waiting lists and improve quality of life, most markedly for those on dialysis. The new rules introduced will be merely a small step toward achieving this goal. The consideration of higher-risk donors is essential. – Yours, etc, BRIAN O'BRIEN, Kinsale, Co Cork. Tattoos, you lose Sir – I am not surprised to read that Gen-Z ( late 1990s and early 2010) are miserable according to Finn Mc Redmond. ( 'It's no wonder people my age are miserable. Everyone keeps telling them they're totally screwed,' June 19th) . When they look at their young bodies defaced with multiple tattoos, it cannot fill them with joy. Years ago the only people with tattoos were male prisoners , sailors and psychiatric patients. Now the young people of Generation Z have followed in their footsteps and those of the primitive tribes where this practice originated . I have yet to meet a person who did not regret getting a tattoo in later years . – Yours, etc, DR PAT Mc GRATH, Co Dublin. Sir, – I am not a great fan of tattoos, but one fascinated me a few days ago. A young man, out for a run overtook me. He was wearing shorts but no top. His entire back was covered in tattoos and I wondered where was the point, as obviously he couldn't see them , unless, of course, he has set up a double mirror at home. If so, I hope he enjoys his reflection after his run! – Yours. etc. MARGARET BUTLER, Co Dublin. Brain injury and better care Sir, – I refer to the letter from Joe Condon (June 14th) regarding the placement of younger people with disabilities in nursing homes. I want to endorse his call for the Government to take a leadership role in actively addressing this significant and enduring issue. An estimated 19,000 people in Ireland suffer a life-changing brain injury every year – that's 52 people every day, of all ages, from all corners of the country. Often, the impacts make it impossible for the person to return home directly from hospital and – for too many – the only available option is to live in a nursing home designed for the care of older people. As Mr Condon rightly asserts, this is not a place where a young person with a brain injury can engage effectively in rehabilitation to maximise their recovery and independence. Investing in community-based neuro-rehabilitation services is key to the solution. Rehabilitation services enable people with brain injury to move more seamlessly and successfully from hospital to home. They focus on ensuring that the person can rebuild their life after injury, reducing their limitations over time, promoting autonomy and community integration. Specialist brain injury case managers are essential to the rehabilitation process and critical to the realisation of the recommendations in the 2021 Wasted Lives report. They act as the bridge between acute hospitals, rehabilitation services, and community supports, making sure that no one with a brain injury is left to face their recovery alone – or worse, that they fall through the cracks and are forgotten about. They work in partnership to identify inappropriate nursing home placements, develop alternative pathways to recovery, and support young survivors of brain injury to move from residential care to more independent living. Some of those young people go on to work and further education. All of them – when they have the opportunity – return to play active roles and contribute to their communities. Currently, access to specialist brain injury case management is limited by geography. It is, in essence, an Eircode lottery. Acquired Brain injury Ireland is actively campaigning for an investment of €2 million per annum to provide this service nationwide. Not only would this targeted investment directly support commitments made in the programme for government to end the systemic misplacement of younger people in nursing homes – it would also uphold Ireland's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which affirms the right of every person to access timely, appropriate rehabilitation. Brain injury can happen in the blink of an eye. Lives are changed, but not ended. We can do better. – Yours, etc, KAREN FOLEY, Chief executive , Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Dublin. Infrastructure for cyclists Sir, – On my cycle to work in Galway University Hospital each day I pass through a number of new and under-construction housing developments in the Letteragh area, providing much needed modern urban housing for the people of Galway. What can't be seen anywhere are new protected cycle lanes or bus stops to accompany this rapid expansion of housing. Enforcing car dependency, through lack of active travel infrastructure, on a new generation of residents is both regressive and short-sighted. Galway already suffers from some of the worst congestion in Europe, adding thousands of cars to the picture can only worsen this. Located just 3km and 15 minutes by bike from the city centre, linking these new developments (and all those like it) to the city centre with active and public travel infrastructure should be a mandatory requirement for councils and developers. If we are serious about reducing congestion, improving our air pollution and health and meeting our legally binding emissions reductions targets, these are the open goals which we can't afford to miss. – Yours, etc, DR CALLUM SWIFT, Galway University Hospital, Galway. .
The Independent
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
EU review ‘paints grim picture' of Israel's actions in Gaza, Irish premier says
An EU review 'paints a grim picture' of Israel's failure to adhere to international obligations, Ireland's premier Micheal Martin has said. The Taoiseach said the report highlights the restriction of food and medicines into Gaza, which he said 'amounts to the use of starvation as a method of war'. The EU- Israel Association Agreement is being reviewed after a dozen EU member states backed it last month. The unpublished report has found that there are 'indications' Israel could be in breach of its human rights obligations under the agreement, according to several media outlets. Reacting on Saturday, Mr Martin welcomed the 'substantive and important' report on Israel's compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel deal. He said Ireland had 'long argued' that clauses on human rights in the EU's international agreement 'have to be respected' and should prompt 'serious consequences' when they are not. Back in February 2024, Ireland and Spain jointly called for an urgent review of whether Israel had breached its human rights obligations in the trade agreement. A majority of EU countries did not back the review until last month, prompted by a proposal from The Netherlands. The shift came amid Israel's months-long blockade of Gaza, which has accelerated fears of a famine. A new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by violence. Israel's 20-month military campaign in the the Palestinian enclave has killed an estimated 55,000 people and injured thousands more, according to Gaza's health ministry. Mr Martin said: 'I very much welcome the substantive and important report of the EU's High Representative for Human Rights on Israel's compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'Bringing together the reports and analysis of serious, credible and reliable sources – including the International Court of Justice, the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and others – it paints a clear and grim picture of a sustained and deliberate failure by Israel to adhere to its international obligations, especially in Gaza but also in the West Bank. 'It highlights a continued restriction of food, medicines, medical equipment, and other vital supplies into Gaza that amount to collective punishment of the civilian population, that amounts to the use of starvation as a method of war. 'It describes an unprecedented level of killing and injury of civilians in Gaza resulting from indiscriminate attacks without proportion or precaution, as well as attacks on hospitals, forced mass displacements and the killing of journalists. All of this with a persistent lack of accountability. 'In the West Bank, it reports sustained oppression of the Palestinian population, including through state and settler violence, the appropriation of land, and the use of detention as a form of collective punishment.' He added: 'We will now work with partners to follow up on this important report with concrete steps, and I will be discussing it with my colleagues in the European Council when we meet next week.'
