Taoiseach and Tánaiste welcome EU decision to review trade agreements with Israel

Ellen O'Donoghue

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have welcomed the EU's decision to review its trade arrangements with Israel.

The EU has said it is reviewing its association agreement with Israel, which governs its political and economic relationship.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said a majority of favoured looking again at the 25-year-old agreement.

The agreement forms the basis of trade ties between the EU and Israel.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in a statement that Ireland will work to ensure the review is taken forward as quickly as possible, and that Israel “cannot act with impunity against all international humanitarian laws and norms”.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that the situation in the enclave has become immeasurably worse since Ireland first called for this review alongside Spain in February 2024.

"The decision to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement to examine compliance with human rights announced today by High Representative Kaja Kallas is one I strongly welcome. Together with Spain, Ireland first called for this step to be taken in February 2024," the Taoiseach said.

"Since then, many thousands of Palestinians have been killed and maimed in a brutal military operation, the brunt of which has been borne by an innocent civilian population.  

"Thousands more are at the brink of starvation, with the UN warning that 14,000 babies could die in the next 48 hours if aid doesn’t reach them. 

"Israel must know that the world is watching and that we will not stand by," Mr Martin said.

He added that "Ireland will work to ensure that the review is taken forward as quickly as possible, and that its conclusions are acted upon.

"We must stop this war. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid."