The Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has in a letter to the EU's Foreign Chief Kaja Kallas demanded a review of the union's association agreements with Israel.
Veldkamp – from the conservative party NSC – thinks that the EU must "draw a line in the sand".
We see that the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid continues and also new developments with decisions from Israel's security cabinet to increase war efforts, statements from Israeli ministers to reoccupy Gaza and total destruction. It is nothing we can tolerate, says Veldkamp in connection with the EU countries' informal foreign ministers' meeting in Warsaw.
Will not wait
Sweden's Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) the situation in Gaza and notes that the concern is shared by "a very large majority" of EU countries.
We naturally urge Israel to follow its obligations as an occupying power and also ensure humanitarian access, she says to TT and SR Ekot in Warsaw.
She notes that the association agreement is to be discussed at a later meeting – but that it cannot wait for that.
I want to see humanitarian access before that and that message I will keep repeating.
There is traditionally a wide range of opinions within the EU about the Middle East. Countries such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are significantly more cautious in their criticism of Israel, while for example Spain and Ireland are pushing for a general recognition of a Palestinian state.
Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot is also sharp in tone.
It is time for the EU and the world and the international community to wake up. To cut off access to humanitarian aid, food, healthcare, electricity, and water as a war strategy is completely unacceptable. Women and children are starving. I expect a strong reaction from the EU, says social conservative Prévot in Warsaw.
The EU and Israel have had an association agreement since 2000, regulating economic and political cooperation.
The agreement stipulates, among other things, that cooperation "shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles".
Criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza has led to demands that the EU should investigate whether Israel lives up to the agreement.
