“No disagreement between Europe and Israel, such as may exist in diplomatic relations between states, justifies singling out Israel to this extent, especially at a time when the fighting has ceased in the Middle East and negotiations have begun, which everyone hopes will lead to a lasting peace.”
Yesterday, the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) met in Luxembourg and discussed, among other things, the association agreement between the European Union and Israel, at the request of Spain, Ireland and Slovenia.
Regardless of diplomatic disagreements between Europe and Israel, discussing the suspension of the association agreement with Israel is a blatant illustration of selective outrage and a historical miscalculation.
The European Union does indeed have association agreements in force with numerous countries, including Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan… Why not raise the possibility of reviewing these agreements with these countries, which have a poor human rights record? Why target only Israel, a democracy and long-standing partner of Europe?
By describing yesterday the suspension of the association agreement between the EU and Israel as a "legitimate question", the President of the Republic is also mistaken in his target and method.
By singling out Israel without first mentioning the responsibility of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran in the conflict, this statement effectively ignores the responsibility of these actors in triggering the war that has raged since October 7.
This declaration also turns its back on the shared values and interests that unite Europe and Israel and does not contribute to peace. Indeed, considering suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement diminishes France's ability to contribute to peace in the Middle East at a time when Lebanon and Israel are embarking on a difficult path toward normalization.
How can we understand that at a time when Israel has been attacked by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, the Houthis, etc., who have deliberately targeted Israeli civilian populations, Europe's priority is to target Israel?
No disagreement between Europe and Israel, such as may exist in diplomatic relations between states, justifies singling out Israel to this extent, especially at a time when the guns are silent in the Middle East and negotiations have begun, which everyone hopes will lead to a lasting peace.
This editorial was originally published in French by the CRIF.
