I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 30 together.
In February 2024, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 18 March and by the Taoiseach in a meeting with President von der Leyen on 11 April.
At the FAC on 27 May, I called for an urgent convening of an EU-Israel Association Council to review Israel’s compliance with measures of the agreement. This was agreed, and the EU's High Representative / Vice President (HRVP) Josep Borrell wrote to the Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz requesting his participation. The Israeli Ambassador to the EU subsequently responded to the request, noting that Israel would only participate on the basis of an agreed agenda that covered the full spectrum of the EU's relationship with Israel.
Ireland, along with many other Member States, has made clear that this is not acceptable; any discussion between the EU and Israel, whether in the format of the Association Council or in another format, can not be a 'business as usual' meeting. HRVP Borrell will now follow up with Israel on this basis. I have also emphasised in EU discussions that, if Israel continues to fail to comply with the Provisional Orders of the International Court of Justice, then the EU should consider all options to ensure the upholding of international law.
Ireland’s position on the EU-Israel Association Agreement is just one element our efforts to shape EU policy. The European Union can, and should, continue to do more to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel. This will remain a priority for my continuing engagement at EU level.
