French FM: Paris may reconsider Israel-EU trade pact in response to Gaza war

After the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada threatened in a joint statement yesterday to take action against Israel if it refuses to halt its military campaign in the Gaza Strip and lift restrictions on the entry of aid, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says that these actions could include a review of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement.

Asked on French public radio about the joint statement’s mention of “further concrete actions” if Israel did not sufficiently address the humanitarian situation in the Strip, Barrot says that France backs a Dutch-led initiative to review the EU-Israel pact in response to the Gaza war, which could affect political and economic ties.

The comment comes during a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels today, where the Association Agreement — which governs the ties between Israel and the EU, its largest trade partner — is expected to be formally discussed by EU foreign ministers.

In response to Israel’s conduct in Gaza, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has led an initiative demanding a review of the pact, which dictates that cooperation between the EU and Israel “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.”

“The situation is unbearable because the blind violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid by the Israeli government have turned Gaza into a dying ground — if not a cemetery,” Barrot tells France Inter radio, calling Israel’s military campaign “a total violation of all rules of international law, and contrary to the security of Israel — to which France is committed — because those who sow violence reap violence.”

“Indeed, it’s been nearly three months that the Israeli army had been blocking access to all humanitarian aid, and it has now decided to slightly open the door, notably for reasons of domestic politics,” continues Barrot, saying Israel’s limited allowance of aid into Gaza yesterday is insufficient, “and it already was, even before the blockade.”

Israel began halting the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip in March, saying Hamas was stealing the supplies to replenish itself, and as part of a military pressure campaign to return hostages held by the terror group.

Yesterday, under intense pressure from the United States and widespread international outrage, Israel authorized a limited passage of aid trucks into the enclave.