MEP Kennes criticized the European Union’s policy toward Israel on the third anniversary of the genocide in Gaza. Saying that taking action was better than remaining inactive, Kennes said the current response had been both delayed and inadequate in scope.
Kennes argued that trade with Israeli settlements had been illegal under international law since the settlements were established. Welcoming measures by some EU countries to prevent trade with illegal settlements, Kennes said these steps alone were insufficient.
Measures must be implemented across the EU
Calling for measures against Israel to be implemented at the European level, Kennes said otherwise it would be easier to circumvent them. Kennes said the issue was not only whether measures were adopted, but also at what level they were implemented.
Calling for urgent action at the European level, Kennes urged the approach toward Israel to be turned into measures that would produce concrete results. Kennes also questioned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the Commission’s willingness to use the powers at their disposal.
Kennes claimed that von der Leyen and the Commission were reluctant to propose concrete steps or use their powers to achieve concrete results, and argued that the Commission was using the unanimity requirement in the Council of the European Union as a justification for taking no action.
Saying that the EU’s responsibility was not limited to failing to take action, Kennes said the financial and diplomatic support provided to Israel was also part of this responsibility.
Kennes calls for suspension of EU-Israel agreement
Kennes said the Union should not limit its policy toward Israel over developments in Gaza to statements. Calling on the EU and its member states to adopt measures covering different areas of relations with Israel, Kennes urged the suspension or termination of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Kennes’s other proposals included suspending or banning all trade with Israel and preventing investment from Europe in Israel. Saying the call on trade and investment covered all commercial relations with Israel, Kennes also called for all arms trade and military cooperation to be halted.
Kennes argued that there was a direct link between the continuation of Israel’s actions and the ongoing financial and diplomatic support provided to Israel by Western countries.
