Sweden on Thursday became the latest EU member country to publicly call for the suspension of the trade component of the bloc’s association agreement with Israel, as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate.
“The situation in Gaza is utterly deplorable, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.
“Sweden therefore demands that the EU, as soon as possible, freezes the trade component of the association agreement,” Kristersson added. “Economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
Sweden’s call adds to growing pressure within the EU against Israel over its ongoing assault in Gaza, where tens of thousands of people have been killed in military retaliation against Hamas militants over their Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
On Monday, the European Commission proposed suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement involving a flagship research project, citing a “humanitarian catastrophe” that it said threatens “virtually the entire Gaza population.” The initiative was ultimately blocked at a meeting of envoys on Tuesday by Germany and three other member countries.
On Wednesday, the Netherlands also announced it advocated suspending the trade chapter of the agreement.
Commenting on Sweden’s announcement, a spokesperson for Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said “the minister welcomes that Sweden joins the Netherlands in our call.”
“We need to increase pressure on the Israeli government because they must do more to facilitate humanitarian aid. The agreement between the EU and Israel on humanitarian aid and access must be fully honored,” the spokesperson added.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, in effect since 2000, forms the legal basis for EU-Israel relations, including preferential trade. Trade measures can be modified with a qualified majority vote among all 27 EU member states.
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