Brussels: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is set to meet senior European officials in Brussels on Monday, reviving diplomatic engagement between Israel and the European Union as the bloc weighs its role in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction following last month’s ceasefire.
Saar will co-chair the EU-Israel Association Council meeting alongside EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, marking the first such session since 2022. Discussions will center on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, Israeli-Palestinian relations, and evolving regional dynamics.
“Monday’s Association Council is an important opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the partnership between Israel and the EU,” Israel’s ambassador to the EU, Haim Regev, told Reuters.
EU Divisions on Israel’s Military Actions
The October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response deepened divisions within the EU. While all member states condemned Hamas, their stances on Israel’s Gaza offensive varied. Some strongly defended Israel’s right to respond, while others criticized its military campaign over civilian casualties.
In February 2024, Spain and Ireland urged the European Commission to assess whether Israel was adhering to its human rights obligations under the 2000 EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs political and economic cooperation between the two sides.
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Despite internal disagreements, the bloc’s 27 member states have negotiated a compromise position ahead of Monday’s meeting. A draft document seen by Reuters highlights Europe’s commitment to Israel’s security while also stressing that “displaced Gazans should be ensured a safe and dignified return to their homes in Gaza.”
U.S. Proposal on Gaza Sparks Controversy
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump caused an uproar among Arab nations and Western allies by proposing that the United States “take over” Gaza, permanently displacing its Palestinian population and transforming the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
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The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a cross-border assault on Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 48,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials, leaving hundreds of thousands in makeshift shelters and reliant on humanitarian aid.
