Suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement

Call for support of the European Citizens Initiative


15/04/2026

Appeal to organisations and inititiatives

On 21st April 2026, there will be a real possibility for the EU Foreign Affairs Council to suspend the EU-Israel Association agreement. Based on Israel’s continuing violations of international law and human rights—particularly in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon—the EU must suspend the Agreement, if it is to comply with its fundamental values. As organisations and initiatives in civil society, we call on everyone to come together, take a united stand, and support the European Citizens’ Initiative to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement!

Why this moment is decisive

The EU-Israel Association Agreement contains a human rights clause in Article 2, which states that the observance of human rights and democratic principles is an “essential component” of the Agreement.

The reality in Palestine shows a clear violation

  • Israel has killed at least 65,000 people in Gaza since October 2023, including 20,000 children. Israel has consistently violated the ceasefire.
  • Systematic destruction of hospitals, schools and civil infrastructure.
  • Blockade of humanitarian help and the use of hunger as a weapon of war.
  • The expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. Destruction of houses, the forced displacement of the indigenous Palestinian population of East Jerusalem, and advancing annexation plans.
  • Passing of a law introducing the death penalty exclusively for Palestinians.
  • Countless violations of international and humanitarian law.

Now Israel is threatening to make Beirut a second Gaza (“Dahiyeh will look like Khan Younis (Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on 5th March 2026). Carpet bombing of civil infrastructure, expulsion of 1 million Lebanese people so far, and the systematic bombing of South Lebanese villages show that the Israeli state is serious about this threat.

The European Union has the obligation to observe its treaties and to act on violations. The suspension of the Association Agreement is not a radical step, but simply a necessary measure against Israel’s continued violations of human rights.

The European Citizens’ Initiative—Our collective voice

We support the European Citizens’ Initiative Justice for Palestine EU, which calls on the EU Commission to submit a proposal for the full suspension of the Association Agreement of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

With over one million signatures throughout Europe, we have already showed that civil society demands a clear position. To become even stronger, we need the support of more organisations in Germany.

Why Germany plays a special role

Despite serious violations of international law, Germany continues to support Israel. Germany is the second largest provider of weapons to Israel (just between 7th October 2023 and 13th May 2025, Germany sent Israel armaments worth €485,103,796). This continued partnership provides Israel with international legitimation. Wide support for the Initiative from Germany increases the pressure on the decision makers—but so far there have been too few signatures from Germany.

Germany intensifies military and political cooperation with Israel

Germany is an important purchaser of Israeli armaments and security technologies. These are being tested on a population whose country Israel has been brutally and illegally occupying for decades. In January 2026, the German government agreed on a new cyber- and security package with Israel in the area of cyber defence, police and secret services. These areas of the Israeli state are responsible for violations of international law and civil rights.

Germany could stop the suspension of the Association Agreement in the Council

Germany already opposed the suspension of the Agreement and further sanctions on Israel in 2025 and could block suspensions once again, despite its obligation to international law, EU law, and the constitutional requirement to prosecute international crimes.

Other EU countries are already acting decisively

Spain, in particular, is showing a clear commitment to international law and is demanding a suspension of the Association Agreement. Slovenia has also announced support and has already called for a weapons embargo against Israel.

Why this Citizens’ Initiative is important

Legal obligation: The EU must react to violations of Article 2 of the agreement. This is not a political option. It is a legal necessity.

Moral obligation: As organisations from civil society, we have the responsibility to stand up for compliance with international law, even if it is uncomfortable. We also have the duty of political responsibility to insist on the compliance with international law.

Strategic impact: A suspension of the Agreement would noticeably hit Israel’s economy (the EU is the largest trade partner with Israel, with €42.6 billion trade volume in 2025) and could change the behaviour of the government.

Credibility of the EU: the EU cannot claim to uphold human rights while maintaining an Association Agreement with a country which systematically violates them.

Call to Action

  • Share the ECI on your websites, social media and Newsletters, pointing out the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 21st April 2026 (Note: we have collected 1 million signatures, but we will carry on collecting until we have 1½ million, as some signatures may be disqualified).
  • Ask your members and networks to sign
  • Follow and repost Justice for Palestine on Instagram: @justiceforpalestineeu
  • Organise panels, protests, and actions
  • Write to German parliamentarians

Further Information

Translated from the original German by Phil Butland