European Citizens’ Initiative: demand the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in view of Israel’s violations of human rights
The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) is a European Union mechanism allowing for EU citizens to "participate directly in the development of EU policies”, increasing direct democracy, by calling on the European Commission to propose new laws. Once the initiative has reached 1 million signatures, and satisfies further prerequisites, the European Commission will decide on what action to take.
In 1995 the EU concluded an Association Agreement with the State of Israel aiming at facilitating and increasing trade, providing a framework for bilateral political dialogue, and fostering scientific, technologic and cultural cooperation.
As of today, more than 34% of Israel’s imports originate from the EU, and a little under 30% of Israeli exports flow into the EU, making the EU Israel’s first trade partner. Indeed, as of 2024, the total trade in goods between the EU and Israel amounted to €42.6 billion.
Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement provides that “Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement”. A breach of Article 2 gives the right to the other Party to unilaterally suspend the Agreement. Various sources have provided evidence that Israel is breaching article 2, laying the groundwork for a unilateral suspension of the agreement by the EU.
As of the 25th November 2025, a new initiative has been registered, calling for the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in view of Israel’s violations of human rights. The initiative underlines that the European Commission acknowledges the State of Israel’s responsibility for unprecedented levels of killing and injury of civilians, large-scale displacement of the population and the systematic destruction of infrastructure and facilities in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel has imposed a blockade of humanitarian aid, leading to starvation as a method of war. All these actions are in violation of rules and obligations under international law.
The European Commission has yet to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, the cornerstone of EU-Israel bilateral trade, economic and political cooperation. The initiative therefore calls upon the European Commission to put forward the proposal to the Council for the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.