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France supports revision of Association Agreement between EU, Israel

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot describes situation in Gaza as ‘unbearable�

Ilayda Cakirtekin  | 20.05.2025 - Update : 20.05.2025
France supports revision of Association Agreement between EU, Israel

ISTANBUL

France supports reexamining the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel, the French foreign minister told France Inter radio on Tuesday.

“I call on the European Commission to carry out this review, to process this request, and to determine whether or not Israel respects this article and its obligations regarding human rights,” Jean-Noel Barrot said, referring to the proposal by the Netherlands to review the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel.

Barrot noted that the proposal particularly aims to revise Article 2 of the agreement, which states that both parties must respect human rights, underlining that there might a possible "suspension" of the agreement if a violation is detected.

"It (agreement) has a political dimension but also a commercial one. If I may say so, neither Israel nor the European Union has an interest in ending this agreement. However, the images coming back from Gaza — the situation of civilians, women, and children — compel us today to take a further step," he said.

Barrot also reiterated that France is "determined" to recognize the State of Palestine, reaffirming that they want to contribute to a "political solution."

“It is unbearable because blind violence and the Israeli government's blockade of humanitarian aid have turned Gaza into a place of dying, not to say a cemetery,” he said when asked about the recent Israeli strikes on Gaza.

The French foreign minister called for an end to the “profound violation of human dignity” and “absolute breach of all rules of international law.”

“Those who sow violence reap violence,” he added.

Pointing out to the fact that the Israeli army had been blocking the humanitarian access for three months, Barrot deemed its decision to reopen doors "completely insufficient."

"We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people of Gaza. Aid must be immediate, it must be massive, and it must be unconditional. All of this must stop," he added.

When asked about reported plans of US President Donald Trump to relocate up to 1 million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya, Barrot reaffirmed that they would oppose to "any population displacement."

"It goes against the fundamental principles we built after the ruins of the Second World War, principles which, even if they did not prevent all wars, have allowed the world to enjoy eight decades of relative stability. Those who, through this kind of proposal, want to push us into a more unstable and dangerous world — one where wars and conflicts multiply, and where civilians are targeted — are leading us down a perilous path," Barrot added.

He said that they cannot wait for Israel to take the first step and neither everything to come from the US regarding the resolution of the conflict.

"That is why we are working toward the recognition of the State of Palestine, a decision we hope will prompt all regional actors to move toward the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Because more important than recognition is the actual existence of a Palestinian state," Barrot added.

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