The European Union has committed a grave political error by proceeding with the EU-Israel Association Council meeting and continuing business as usual with Israel. In light of recent rulings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), the EU’s stance not only undermines its credibility but also weakens the very foundations of international law it claims to uphold.
On January 26, 2024, the ICJ issued an interim ruling in the case brought by South Africa under the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. The court found that Israel was plausibly committing genocide in Gaza and urged UN member states to take all necessary measures to prevent it and ensure they do not contribute to it. Later in the year, the ICJ ruled on the illegality of the Israeli occupation, calling for its end within 12 months and requesting UN members to fulfill their legal obligations by taking measures to end the occupation and avoid supporting the occupying power.
In addition, on November 22, 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Defense Minister, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite these serious rulings, the EU has chosen to challenge international law and provide Israel with political and diplomatic complicity instead of enforcing accountability.
A Crisis of Credibility
By maintaining its relationship with Israel as though nothing has changed, the EU and its member states are severely undermining the credibility of international law. How can Europe continue to lecture the world about legal norms when it openly aligns itself with a state accused of genocide and war crimes? How can European leaders defend the ICC’s rulings in the case of Ukraine and other conflicts while many of their governments refuse to support the arrest warrant against Netanyahu? This double standard erodes the legitimacy of the rules-based international order that Europe claims to champion.
The EU’s inconsistency comes at a high cost. Its credibility as a global political actor defending international law is at stake. The upcoming EU-Israel Association Council meeting is a stark example of this hypocrisy. While the EU has imposed sanctions on Russia and more than 30 other countries, it continues to engage with Israel despite the latter’s ongoing violations of international law. Instead of holding Israel accountable, the meeting could effectively be seen by Israel as a reward for its actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
A Failed Strategy
The EU justifies its engagement with Israel by arguing that maintaining dialogue is necessary to convey strong messages. However, history has proven this approach to be ineffective. Israel has repeatedly ignored EU requests and continues its occupation and violations of international law with impunity. This “business as usual” approach only emboldens Israel, sending a clear message that the EU’s words lack consequences.
If the EU is to uphold its principles, it must end its policy of double standards and take decisive action. This includes suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, supporting the enforcement of the ICC’s arrest warrants, and ensuring compliance with ICJ rulings. Anything less would signal to the world that international law is applied selectively—an outcome that Europe will ultimately pay the price for in its diminishing moral and political authority on the global stage.
Adel Atieh
Ambassador
Director of the European Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine
