New York, May 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Tuesday’s decision by European Union foreign ministers to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which sets out the EU’s legal and institutional framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation with Israel.
The review could in principle lead to a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. CPJ has been calling for a suspension, as well as for the EU to adopt targeted sanctions against IDF officials and others responsible, since August 2024, on the basis of Israel’s violations of international human rights and criminal law.
Ireland and Spain had previously pressed for an EU review; however, divisions remained within the bloc on openly and publicly challenging Israel. The EU’s decision, along with today’s UK move to pause “its free trade agreement negotiations with Israel” could signal a shift in political opinion in Europe.
“Although today’s decision is welcome, it comes too late,” said Tom Gibson, CPJ’s deputy advocacy director, EU. “A review must now be carried out swiftly and EU member states must be ready to finally hold Israel to account for its unprecedented attack on press freedom and egregious abuses of international law.”
A suspension of the EU agreement would need to be made unanimously by member states and with the agreement of the European Commission.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
CPJ Staff | Radio Free (2025-05-20T20:57:28+00:00) EU decision on Israel must turn into action, CPJ says. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2025/05/20/eu-decision-on-israel-must-turn-into-action-cpj-says/
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