Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have asked the European Union to discuss the suspension of the association agreement with Israel, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez said today ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
"Spain, together with Slovenia and Ireland, have requested that the suspension of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel be discussed today ," Álvarez said.
We recall that this action was announced a few days ago by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
"This Tuesday, the Spanish government will present to Europe a proposal that will foresee that the European Union cancels the association agreement with Israel," because a government "that violates international law cannot be a partner of the European Union," Sanchez said during a pre-election rally in Andalusia last Sunday.
The association agreement between the European Union and Israel, which entered into force in 2000, includes a clause linking the agreement to respect for human rights.
Spain first questioned this agreement in February 2024, when Pedro Sanchez and the then Irish Prime Minister sent a joint letter to the European Commission. The letter requested an assessment of Israel's compliance with human rights obligations following the start of the war in Gaza.
Since then, Sanchez had gradually strengthened his stance on the issue, particularly regarding the war in Lebanon, until today's announcement.
