Rudolph Angler French President Emmanuel Macron called EU-Israel cooperation “an open question” during a televised interview on May 13, 2025. He criticized the “shameful” humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged stronger European action against Israel’s policies. Macron’s comments come ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for May 20 in Brussels, where officials will discuss a Dutch proposal to review the EU’s trade agreement with Israel. The move reflects rising tensions within the EU over Israel’s Gaza blockade and its impact on humanitarian aid.
Macron Calls for Stronger EU Pressure on Israel
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the urgent need for the EU to address Israel’s actions in Gaza. He described the humanitarian crisis as “shameful” and criticized European countries for failing to confront violations effectively. Macron urged the EU to move beyond ignoring the situation and to apply real pressure on Israel to uphold human rights.
His statement aligns France with other EU nations, including Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, and the Netherlands, which support a formal review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This review aims to reassess cooperation in light of Israel’s current policies, especially the blockade affecting Gaza.
Dutch Initiative Pushes for Trade Agreement Review
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp spearheads the call to examine the EU-Israel trade deal. In a letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Veldkamp accused Israel of breaching international law through its blockade of aid to Gaza. He cited Article 2 of the Association Agreement, which mandates respect for human rights and democratic values as a condition for cooperation.
The blockade, now in its 10th week, restricts essential food and medicine supplies to Gaza. The Netherlands argues this violates fundamental humanitarian principles and undermines the agreement’s foundation.
EU Remains Divided Over Israel’s Aid Policy
The EU is deeply divided on how to respond to Israel’s approach. Israel claims the blockade is necessary to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken in attacks on October 7, 2024. However, Dutch officials warn that Israel’s recent plan to privatize aid delivery—bypassing the United Nations—risks compromising the neutrality and fairness of humanitarian efforts.
Germany supports Israel’s new aid system, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stating it remains consistent with humanitarian norms during a visit to Jerusalem. This stance highlights ongoing disagreements within the EU on balancing political, security, and humanitarian concerns.
Growing Support for Association Agreement Review
Support for the Dutch proposal to review the trade deal with Israel has increased. Eight EU member states now back the initiative, including Ireland and Spain, which initially raised the issue 15 months ago. Growing frustration with Israel’s Gaza policy is driving more governments to consider suspending or revising the agreement.
The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, so any decision to modify or suspend the Association Agreement carries significant economic weight. Article 2 serves as a legal basis for potential suspension, linking cooperation directly to respect for human rights.
Calls for Independent EU Action Intensify
Human rights groups and NGOs urge the European Commission to take a leading role. They want the Commission to bypass delays caused by member states and investigate Israel’s compliance independently. Activists call for swift recommendations to the European Council to ensure timely responses.
Former EU diplomat Josep Borrell proposed suspending ties with Israel in November 2024. His suggestion led to a closed-door meeting with Israeli officials. His successor, Kaja Kallas, confirmed that EU foreign ministers will debate the Dutch plan on May 20, 2025. Ministers will also discuss other possible actions during the session.
A Commission spokesperson reiterated that suspending the treaty requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, highlighting the complexity of the decision.
The upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels will be a critical moment for the EU’s stance on Israel. With increasing pressure from member states and civil society, the debate over the trade agreement and humanitarian response is intensifying.
How the EU balances diplomatic ties, economic interests, and human rights will shape its future relations with Israel and influence the broader Middle East peace process.