Brussels/London (TDI): The European Union and the United Kingdom have paused economic and trade engagements with Israel amid its new offensive in Gaza.
The top EU diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced, on Tuesday, that the bloc will review a pact concerning its economic and political relations with Israel amid the “catastrophic” situation in the Gaza Strip.
The announcement was made after the meeting of the European Union’s foreign ministers.
Since Israel began its new offensive in Gaza, international pressure has mounted regarding the lack of humanitarian aid and assistance reaching Gaza.
Kaja Kallas stated that during the foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, a “strong majority” favored reviewing bilateral economic and political agreements with Israel, famously known as an association agreement.
17 out of 27 foreign ministers have favored the review of whether Israel is complying with the agreements’ human rights clause or not.
Read More: Israel to Allow Limited Food Supplies Into Gaza Amid Intensified Ground Offensive
The association agreement between the EU and Israel came into force in 2000, reinforcing that the relationship between the two would be based on “respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy.”
Talking about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to the reporters, Kaja Kallas said, “The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it’s a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, because this is what is needed.”
The Dutch Minister, Caspar Veldkamp, urged the foreign ministers of the EU to review “a very important and powerful signal,” referring to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The remarks echoed the sentiments of several other officials of the European Union including ministers from France and Ireland.
Today we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.
It is not possible to advance these discussions with a government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.
My statement 👇🏿 pic.twitter.com/EGDfPAQ94i
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 20, 2025
Similarly, the Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lammy, is also set to announce the pause of trade deal negotiations between the United Kingdom and Israel, the British government stated on Tuesday.
The government further added that it had summoned the Ambassador of Israel to the UK over its expansion of “monstrous” military operations in the Gaza Strip and has announced further sanctions against foreign settlers in the West Bank.
David Lammy called the offensive “a dark new phase in this conflict,” and asked Israel to immediately lift the blockade.
Read More: US Embassy Denies Plan to Relocate Gazans to Libya
The visibly angry British Foreign Minister told the British lawmakers, “It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. … Today, I’m announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.”
In a joint statement with France and Canada, British PM Starmer, strongly condemned Israel, stating that he is horrified by the escalation of the Israeli military’s violence against the people of Gaza. The three leaders also called for immediate humanitarian aid access to the people of Gaza.
In the latest wave of violence, Israel has killed more than 500 Palestinians in the past eight days and has also blocked access to medical, food, and fuel supplies to Gaza.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, transatlantic geopolitics, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
