Despite Israel’s ongoing breeches of international law and flagrant human right abuses, the European Union continues to reward and cosy up to Israel; Israel’s constant violations of the 2012 ceasefire terms, repeated violent provocations in the West Bank, and continued illegal settlement construction and colonisation appear to have little affect on this relationship.

Therefore, as part of Israeli Apartheid Week 2014, on Thursday 6th March, from 1-2pm the IPSC will be holding a lunchtime vigil outside EU House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 to highlight the EU’s ongoing facilitation of Israel’s apartheid policies and war crimes.

In particular we will be highlighting the continued operation of the Euro-Med Agreement with Israel. This Agreement effectively amounts to rewarding Israel for its terrorisation of the Palestinian people as it grants it special trading privileges with the EU. Israel is clearly in breach of the human rights clause (Article II) of the agreement which states that “respect for human rights and democratic principles” are an “essential element” of the treaty. The fact that Israel has faced no sanction from the international community for its litany of abuses against the Palestinians has emboldened it to act however it pleases. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, and such a move would undoubtedly have a positive effect on Israel’s behaviour towards the Palestinian people, therefore Irish government should call for the suspension of Israel from the Euro-Med Agreement.

For background to the EU and Israel, please see the relevant section of our website here.

This event is organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) as one of a series of events taking place around Ireland during international Israeli Apartheid Week 2013 (1st – 8th March). See the IAW 2014 page for a full list of events taking place around Ireland.