A coalition of more than 60 prominent humanitarian, human rights, and trade union organisations – including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam – has issued an urgent open letter to the European Union leadership.
The letter demands the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and a comprehensive ban on arms transfers and trade with illegal Israeli settlements,citing a systemic failure to uphold the human rights standards required by the treaty.
The appeal, addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other top officials, highlights what the organisations describe as an unprecedented escalation of international law violations and brutal repression across Palestine and Lebanon.
Core allegations of human rights violations
The coalition argues that the EU is in breach of its own principles by maintaining the agreement because, under Article 2 of the Association Agreement, respect for human rights and democratic principles are considered essential elements of the partnership.
In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the organisations report an acceleration of lethal state-backed settler violence and illegal annexation, noting that settler attacks have reportedly led to the displacement of 38 Palestinian communities since early 2026.
Regarding the Gaza Strip, the letter states that a human-made humanitarian catastrophe persists, referencing findings from the UN Commission of Inquiry regarding ongoing violations of the UN Genocide Convention.
The coalition also warns of the “Gazafication” of Lebanon, noting that over 1.2 million people have been displaced following Israeli military operations and evacuation orders.
Furthermore, the letter points to a newly passed death penalty law in the Israeli Knesset as further evidence of a discriminatory legal framework targeting Palestinians.
Key demands to the European Union
The signatories argue that the EU's failure to act is tarnishing its global credibility and emboldening further abuses. They are calling for three specific legal obligations, beginning with the formal suspension of the Association Agreement based on its human rights clauses.
Additionally, they demand an immediate halt to all transfers and transit of arms, munitions, and dual-use equipment to Israel, as well as the implementation of a total ban on the import and advertisement of products coming from illegal Israeli settlements.
The letter emphasises that these measures are not mere political choices but are legal obligations, asserting that the people of Palestine and Lebanon deserve action and accountability rather than just expressions of concern.
A divided European response
The letter acknowledges that while five member states – Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Belgium, and The Netherlands – have already taken steps to ban settlement goods, the EU Council has yet to reach a majority consensus on suspending the trade provisions of the Association Agreement.
The coalition concludes that the time for political considerations has passed, urging the EU to use its significant economic and diplomatic leverage to ensure compliance with international law and the International Court of Justice advisory opinions.