EU to Present Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations

The European External Action Service will present its findings on alleged human rights violations by Israel at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on June 23. The investigation was launched in response to calls from multiple EU members to reconsider Israel’s preferential trade status with the bloc, in light of its actions during the conflict in Gaza.

As the conflict in Gaza has escalated, several EU member states have taken a more critical stance towards Israel, particularly following last month’s aid blockade. On May 20, multiple Western countries (including France, which has traditionally supported Israel) raised the possibility of sanctions over the worsening humanitarian situation. In response, the EU commissioned an investigation into potential human rights violations by Israel, using the same methodology as a 2024 report that concluded such violations had occurred.

While European rhetoric towards Israel may remain stern, and while the forthcoming report is likely to conclude that human rights violations did occur, the EU’s leadership is unlikely to apply serious measures against Israel in response. Substantial changes to the EU-Israel Association Agreement require broad member state support, which remains improbable given past opposition from countries such as Hungary and Czechia. Recent Israeli strikes on Iran have further complicated the political landscape: the EU’s immediate response emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense and the importance of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, making sanctions politically difficult. Moreover, the EU was reportedly sidelined in advance of the strikes and has limited diplomatic leverage. As a result, the EU is more likely to pursue a cautious approach that preserves its diplomatic influence.