The European Union will review its political and economic agreement with Israel in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday. Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said a "strong majority" of member states supported reassessing the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which underpins bilateral ties and includes a human rights clause. "The situation in Gaza is catastrophic," Kallas told reporters. "Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale. "The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it's a drop in the ocean." Seventeen of the EU's 27 member states backed the review, according to diplomats. The proposal was formally put forward by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who cited Israel's military actions in Gaza, comments by Israeli officials suggesting a possible reoccupation of parts of the Palestinian territories, and the worsening situation in the West Bank. The EU-Israel pact, in force since 2000, stipulates that the relationship be based on "respect for human rights and democratic principles." Israel's foreign ministry rejected the EU criticism, calling it "a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing." In a post on X, the ministry said such statements "only harden Hamas's position" and expressed appreciation for countries that supported Israel during the EU discussions. The EU has struggled to adopt a unified stance on Israel's war in Gaza. While some countries, including France and Ireland, have pushed for stronger action, others have urged dialogue. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky suggested holding a formal meeting with Israeli officials under the terms of the association agreement to express concerns. Kallas also said EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank have been drafted, but their adoption has been blocked by one member state. Diplomats identified that country as Hungary. Israel says its military campaign in Gaza is aimed at dismantling Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks that killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
