(PIC)
A European petition calling for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement has gathered more than one million signatures in just three months since its launch, reflecting growing public pressure and its shift into a formal legal track within EU institutions.
The initiative was launched under the “European Citizens’ Initiative” mechanism, which allows citizens to directly influence EU policies. It is based on Article 2 of the Association Agreement, which ties its continuation to respect for human rights, something the petition argues Israel is violating.
The move coincides with a wave of widespread protests across Europe since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip, with large demonstrations documented in dozens of countries. This has helped shift momentum from the streets into formal institutions.
According to a study issued by the European Palestinian Council for Political Relations, the European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner, meaning that any move to suspend the agreement, even partially, could have a tangible economic impact.
The initiative is led by European political groups, particularly left-wing coalitions, with support from Arab communities and Palestinian organizations. Signature data shows strong participation from countries such as France, Italy, and Spain, reflecting a notable shift in European public opinion.
The petition now moves into the legal procedures phase, which includes verifying the signatures and formally submitting them. The European Commission will then review it over a period of several months, including hearings within the European Parliament.
Reaching this threshold marks a turning point, opening the door to an official debate on the future of EU–Israel relations and placing EU institutions under political and legal scrutiny regarding their commitment to the human rights values they uphold.
