Several European countries, including Spain and Ireland, urged the European Union on Tuesday to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel, but were unable to secure enough backing from other member states to take action.
As foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg, a number of them advocated for either a full or partial suspension of the pact, citing concerns over settlement expansion in the West Bank, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the introduction of a new death penalty law.
‘Today, Europe’s credibility is at stake,’ Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares (main image) told reporters, urging debate on suspending the association agreement, which has been in force since 2000. However, EU member states remain divided over whether — and how — to adjust the bloc’s stance toward Israel.
Following the talks, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there was insufficient support to halt the agreement, although discussions on EU-Israel relations would continue.
‘I didn’t see the shifting of positions in the room regarding the suspension,’ she said in a news conference, adding that she would raise proposals put forward by ministers with the EU’s trade commissioner.
The European Commission had already proposed in September the suspension of certain trade elements of the agreement, affecting roughly €5.8 billion in Israeli exports. At the time, Israel dismissed the proposals as ‘morally and politically distorted’.
Any move to suspend trade provisions would require a qualified majority among EU governments — at least 15 of the 27 member states representing 65% of the bloc’s population. A complete suspension, however, would need unanimous approval.
Countries such as Germany and Italy signalled they would maintain their current positions.
Germany reiterated its support for efforts toward a two-state solution, but emphasised that this should be pursued through engagement with Israel. ‘But this must be done through critical, constructive dialogue with Israel,’ German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters.
Meanwhile, ministers from nations including Ireland and Belgium pressed for a tougher EU approach. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot acknowledged, however, that ‘a full suspension is probably out of reach given the positions of the various European countries’.
The EU remains Israel’s largest trading partner, with goods trade between the two reaching €42.6 billion in 2024, according to EU data.
In parallel, the bloc is considering sanctions targeting violent settlers and Israeli ministers it views as extremist. These measures would also require unanimous approval, though diplomats believe sanctions on settlers could advance after a new Hungarian government takes office in May. Israel has described settler violence as the work of a ‘fringe minority’.
Ahead of the meeting, Sweden and France circulated a joint paper calling for stronger EU action to curb commercial ties with settlements deemed illegal.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are widely considered illegal under international law, including by the United Nations, although Israel disputes this interpretation. Palestinians view the territory as part of a future independent state.
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Europa se juega su credibilidad. Debemos hablar con una sola voz, basándonos en los mismos principios y persiguiendo los mismos objetivos.
— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) April 21, 2026
Es el momento de que Europa mande una señal fuerte. La guerra no puede sustituir a la política exterior.
Hoy, a mi llegada al #CAE. pic.twitter.com/c6KfkTaPzI
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