EU Faces Global Backlash Over Gaza Aid, Israel Trade Ties

The European Union faced sharp criticism from leading human rights figures and organizations after its foreign ministers declined to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement amid Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. Amnesty International's Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, called the EU's decision a "disgraceful moment" and a "cruel and unlawful betrayal" of both Palestinian rights and European values, noting the EU effectively gave Israel a green light to continue its actions, which include alleged genocide, unlawful occupation, and apartheid. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused the EU of consciously supporting Israel's genocide of Palestinians and urged member states to take legal action, including suspending trade and weapons agreements with Israel. Despite a recent deal increasing aid flow into Gaza to about 80 trucks per day, this remains far below pre-conflict levels, and distribution challenges persist, with Palestinians continuing to face starvation and deadly violence even at aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The GHF itself has been accused by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor of complicity in Israeli aggression, alleging it has facilitated mass killings and starvation, and calling for its shutdown and the prosecution of former President Donald Trump. EU officials, including Kaja Kallas, have maintained that sanctions remain an option if the humanitarian situation does not improve, but no consensus for immediate measures was reached during the EU foreign ministers' meeting.