Over a hundred ex-MEPs petition the EU to temporarily halt the association accord with Israel
Former European Parliament Members Urge Full Suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement
More than 100 former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from across the political spectrum have called on the European Commission to urgently propose the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The former MEPs argue that this action is a necessary step to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes, including the ongoing starvation of the civilian population in Gaza.
The call to action comes in the wake of Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians. The conflict was triggered by attacks by Hamas militants in southern Israel on October 7th, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage.
The former MEPs, who hail from Spain, Ireland, France, the UK, and several other countries, have expressed their concern over the slow and partial measures taken by the Commission so far. For instance, the Commission proposed in late July 2025 to partially suspend Israel’s access to the Horizon Europe research program, but this decision needs the support of a weighted majority of the EU’s 27 states. Germany and Italy, two of Israel’s backers, have reportedly held up the suspension.
In their open letter, the former MEPs have urged the Commission to take concrete action in response to the war in Gaza. They have specifically called for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade and political relations, on grounds of Israel violating the human rights clause (Article 2) of the agreement. The suspension, they argue, would be the most effective tool available for the EU to pressure Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The letter is addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Kaja Kallas, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the demand. The former MEPs warn that failure to act risks the Commission being found liable for “culpable inaction” and exposes EU Member States’ complicity in war crimes.
In addition to the former MEPs, the open letter has been signed by several current lawmakers, including former Independent MEP and current Minister of State Marian Harkin. A total of 110 former MEPs have added their names to the joint letter.
Aid agencies continue to warn of spreading famine in the war-torn strip of Gaza, with Israel’s restriction of humanitarian aid getting into Gaza over recent weeks and months heightening pressure on the country. The former MEPs argue that a failure by EU states to agree to take action against Israel would expose their "complicity" in its war crimes in Gaza, the letter stated.
On Monday, EU foreign ministers were to discuss the situation in Gaza during a video call. The large group of former politicians has urged the EU executive arm, led by Ursula von der Leyen, to take concrete action in response to the war in Gaza. The group has called for the EU to suspend an association agreement that governs the bloc’s relations with Israel, including a free-trade deal.
References: [1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/more-than-100-former-meps-call-for-full-suspension-of-eu-israel-association-agreement [2] https://www.euractiv.com/section/foreign-affairs/news/former-meps-call-for-eu-to-suspend-israel-association-agreement/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/former-meps-call-eu-suspension-israel-association-agreement-2025-08-01/ [4] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-israel-association-agreement-gaza-war-crimes/ [5] https://www.dw.com/en/eu-lawmakers-call-for-sanctions-against-israel-over-gaza/a-59437050
The call for action from more than 100 former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) extends beyond the EU's proposed partial suspension of Israel’s access to research programs, urging full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The former MEPs argue that the suspension of the agreement, which governs trade and political relations, would be the most effective tool available for the EU to pressure Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
