International organizations demand the cessation of trade relations between the EU and Israel

Brussels, June 23 (EFE).- Nearly thirty European and international organizations, from unions to human rights NGOs among others, called a demonstration in Brussels this Monday to demand the cessation of trade relations between the European Union (EU) and Israel while, they said, “atrocious crimes committed by this country persist.”

“The consequences of these agreements are enormous, in reality, because they provide very clear aid to the illegal Israeli occupation by supporting and continuing economic trade with Israel,” said Dima Issa, coordinator of the organization in support of Palestine ‘Al-Haq Europe’, to EFE during the protest.

The meeting, which brought together around 250 people in front of the European Commission (EC) in the Belgian capital, according to local security forces, took place within the framework of the meeting held this Monday between the EU foreign ministers, who will analyze a review report of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a framework that regulates political dialogue and economic cooperation between the EU and Israel.

That report, drawn up by the European External Action Service (EEAS), sees “indications” that the Israelis may be failing to meet their obligations under the EU’s association agreement on human rights with their actions in Gaza.

“In this review process of the Agreement, we want concrete measures to be implemented, since Israeli crimes have been a very clear violation of human rights and have been very well documented. Now is the time for the European Union and its member states to take action,” Issa asserted.

Among the proposed measures, cuts “in all military cooperation” stood out, including exports, imports, research, and military exchanges.

For her part, Manon Maree, a member of the Belgo-Palestinian Association, described the agreement as “the pact of shame” because it makes Europe, according to her, “Israel’s first trading partner in times of genocide.”

“Both parties have to respect human rights. This is in the agreement, and it is obvious that Israel does not respect these rights and the European Union continues to maintain its agreement. So it’s a shame. It is also a shame that the European Union has not changed anything since the beginning of the genocide in its relationship with Israel,” he expressed.

The attendees chanted messages such as “Stop the genocide,” “By sea and rivers, Palestine will be free,” or “One solution, the revolution.”

Furthermore, they carried Palestinian flags and wore their emblematic keffiyehs, as well as displaying banners with slogans such as “Gaza don’t cry” or “Israel stop impune”.

According to some event organizers who spoke to EFE, after the protest they are awaiting a “concrete” response or reaction from European leaders.