EU is contributing to Israel's impunity and lack of accountability
Ashdod, August 2014; Federica Mogherini, then Italy’s foreign minister, listens to Avigdor Lieberman explaining why the attack on Gaza should be escalated. Photo by David Buimovitch AFP/Getty Images
Letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Mrs Federica Mogherini
EU High Representative
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
November 2nd, 2014
Dear Mrs Vice President/High Representative
A European call for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement
We strongly condemn Israel’s latest massacre of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. More than 2,160 Palestinians were killed, more than 10,800 were injured and more than 500,000 people were displaced.
The UN and other international bodies accuse Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure including schools and hospitals, as well as other war crimes. In the words of the top UN official for Palestinian refugees Pierre Krähenbühl, “Children killed in their sleep; this is an affront to all of us, a source of universal shame. Today the world stands disgraced.”
Yet Israel’s violations of international law did not start with its most recent attack on Gaza. For decades, Israel has been denying the Palestinian right to self-determination by deliberately seizing territory and resources by force, forcibly transferring Palestinians from their land, systematically discriminating against Palestinians and brutally repressing those who seek to oppose its occupation and violations of human rights. Immediately following the end of the Gaza massacre, Israel announced the confiscation of another 1000 acres of Palestinian land in the Bethlehem region of the occupied Palestinian West Bank, in order to expand its illegal settlements.
The UN, the EU and other bodies all accuse Israel of violations of international law during the course of its occupation of Palestinian territory.
Through the continued existence of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the strengthening of the bilateral relations, the European Union and its member states are sending Israel the message that it does not have to abide by international law. The EU is contributing to the climate of impunity and lack of accountability.
By continuing to award Israel preferential access to European markets and access to EU programmes and funding despite its persistent violations of international law, the EU is providing material support to Israel’s violations of international law and failing to uphold its own commitments under international law.
As organisations who reject all forms of discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, and as supporters of the right of all people to live in freedom and with dignity, we call on the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel until it complies with international law and on people across Europe to join us in doing so.
Signed:
Austria
1. BDS Austria, Austria
2. Internationaler Versöhnungsbund, österreichischer Zweig, Austria
3. Society for Austro-Arab Relations, Austria
4. Steirische Friedensplattform, Austria
5. Women in Black (Wien), Austria
Basque country
6. Askapena, Basque Country
7. Ernai, Basque Country
8. Ikasle Abertzaleak, Basque Country
9. Internazionalistak Auzolanean, Basque Country
10. Red MEWANDO, Basque Country
Belgium
11. De Algemene Centrale-ABVV/La Centrale Generale-FGTB, trade union federation, Belgium
12. CNCD 11.11.11, NGO platform, Belgium
13. Comité de Vigilance pour la Démocratie en Tunisie, NGO platform, Belgium
14. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine, NGO platform, Belgium
15. Broederlijk Delen, NGO, Belgium
16. Médecine pour le Tiers-Monde – M3M (Third World Health Aid), NGO, Belgium
17. Parti Communiste, political party, Belgium
18. PTB-PVDA, political party, Belgium
19. Agir pour la Paix, Belgium
20. Artistes Contre le Mur, Belgium
21. Association Belgo-Palestinienne, Belgium
22. Brussel Brecht Eisler Koor, Belgium
23. CADTM Belgique, Belgium
24. Checkpoint Singers, Belgium
25. CVDT, Belgium
26. ForMENA – Council for MENA Affairs, Belgium
27. FOS – Socialistische Solidariteit, Belgium
28. Gents ActiePlatform Palestina (GAPP), Belgium
29. Groupe Proche-Orient Santé, Belgium
30. HOPE – ESPOIR – HOOP, Belgium
31. Intal, Belgium
32. Käthe Kollwitz Peace Run, Belgium
33. Kif Kif, Belgium
34. La Coordination Nationale d’Action pour la Paix et la Démocratie (CNAPD) , Belgium
35. LAP – Leuvense Actiegroep Palestina, Belgium
36. LEF-FGE, Belgium
37. Links Ecologisch Forum, Belgium
38. Mouvement Citoyen Palestine, Belgium
39. Mouvement Ouvrier Chrétien, Belgium
40. OXFAM Wereldwinkel Mariakerke , Belgium
41. Oxfam Wereldwinkel Tielt, Belgium
42. Paix Juste au Proche Orient, Belgium
43. Paix Juste au Proche Orient Ittre, Belgium
44. Paix Juste au Proche Orient Mazerine, Belgium
45. Paix Juste au Proche Orient Nivelles, Belgium
46. Palestina Solidaritet, Belgium47. Pax Christi Flanders, Belgium
48. Plateforme Watermael-Boitsfort Plaestine, Belgium
49. Service Civil International Belgique, Belgium
50. Solidarité Socialiste, Belgium
51. Solidarity with Bedouins, Belgium
52. Uilekot vzw, Belgium
53. Union des Progressistes Juifs de Belgique (UPJB), Belgium
54. ViaVelo Palestina, Belgium
55. Vrede vzw, Belgium
56. Vredesactie, Belgium
57. Vrouwen in het Zwart, Belgium
58. vzw AZIZ, Belgium
Czech Republic
59. Friends of Palestine, Czech Republic
60. International Solidarity Movement – Czech Republic
61. Levá perspektiva, Czech Republic
62. Not in Our Name! — Czech Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle East, Czech Republic
63. Palestinian Club in Czech republic, Czech Republic
64. Socialist Solidarity (Socialistická Solidarita), Czech Republic
65. World Without Wars and Violence, Czech republic
Denmark
66. Enhedslisten – The Red-Green Alliance, political party, Denmark
67. United Federation of Danish Workers (3F), trade union, Denmark
68. Internationalt Forum, Denmark69. Socialistisk UngdomsFront, Denmark
Finland
70. The Left Youth of Finland, political party, Finland
71. Finnish Peace Committee – Suomen Rauhanpuolustajat, Finland
72. Finnish-Arab Friendship Society – Arabikansojen ystävyysseura ry, Finland
73. Human Rights Education Organisation Aina, Finland
74. ICAHD Finland, Finland
75. Physicians for Social Responsibility, Finland
76. Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Finland
France
77. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine, NGO platform, France
78. Gauche Unitaire, political party, France
79. Parti Communiste Francais, political party, France
80. Parti de Gauche, political party, France
81. Union Syndicale Solidaires, trade union federation, France
82. Confédération Paysanne, trade union, France
83. Artisans du Monde, France
86. Artisans du Monde, France
84. Association France Palestine Solidarité, France
85. ATTAC France, France
86. BDS France, France
87. Collectif Interuniversitaire pour la Coopération avec les Universités Palestiniennes, France
88. Emmaüs International, France
89. Fédération Artisans du Monde, France90. Fondation Frantz- Fanon , France
91. Forum France-Algérie, France
92. Initiatives pour un autre monde, France
93. L’association le collectif RPS, France
94. La Cimade, France
95. Le collectif 69 Palestine, France
96. Le Mouvement de la Paix, France
97. Mouvement contre le Racisme et pour l’Amitié entre les peuples, France
98. Mouvement pour une Alternative Non-violente, France
99. Sans, France
100. Snes-FSU, France
101. Une Autre Voix Juive, France
102. Union juive française pour la paix, France
Germany
103. IPPNW Germany, NGO, Germany
104. Pax Christi Germany, NGO, Germany
105. AK Nahost Berlin, Germany
106. Attac – AG Globalisierung und Krieg Deutschland, Germany
107. BAB – Berlin Academic Boycott of Israel, Germany
108. BDS Berlin, Germany
109. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft e.V., Germany
110. Deutsch-Palästinensische Medizinische Geselschaft, Germany
111. Deutsch-Palästinensischer Frauenverein e.V., Germany
112. Frauen wagen Frieden, Germany
113. Frauen wagen Frieden, Germany
114. Frauen wagen Frieden Pfalz, Germany
115. Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V., Germany
116. ICAHD-Germany, Germany
117. Institut für Palästinakunde e.V., Germany
118. Jüdisch-Palästinensische Dialoggruppe München, Germany
119. Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost, Germany
120. Laika Verlag, Germany
121. Netzwerk EAPPI, Germany
122. Palästina Netzwerk Berlin (PNB), Germany
123. Palästina/Nahost-Intiative Heidelberg, Germany
124. Palestine Solidarity Committee Stuttgart, Germany
125. AG Palästina/Frankfurt, Germany
Ireland
126. Sinn Féin, political party, Ireland
127. Irish Congress of Trade Unions, trade union federation, Ireland
128. Communication Workers Union, trade union, Ireland
129. Mandate Trade Union, trade union, Ireland
130. Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), trade union, Ireland
131. Technical Engineering and Electrical Union – The Power Union, trade union, Ireland
132. Trócaire, NGO, Ireland
133. National University of Ireland Galway Students’ Union, student union, Ireland
134. Academics for Palestine, Ireland
135. Derry Anti War Coalition, Ireland136. Gaza Action Ireland, Ireland
137. HOPE Foundation, Ireland
138. Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Ireland
139. Irish Anti War Movement, Ireland
140. National University of Ireland Galway Palestine Solidarity Society, Ireland
141. Sadaka – Ireland Palestine Alliance, Ireland
142. Trade Union Friends of Palestine, Ireland
143 The People’s Movement, campaigning group, Ireland
Italy
144. Forum Italiano dei Movimenti per l’Acqua/Italian Forum of Water Movements, platform, Italy
145. FIOM-Cgil – Metal Worker’s Union – Italy
146. USB Unione Sindacale di Base, trade union, Italy
147. COBAS, trade union, Italy
148. Rete-ECO Ebrei Contro l’Occupazione (Italian Network of Jews Against the Occupation), Italy
149. Comunità Palestinese di Roma, Palestinian community in Italy
150. 100 Idee per la Pace, Italy
151. Arci Pinerolo, Italy
152. Arci Sud Sardegna, Italy
153. ARCI Valle Susa, Italy
154. Arci Messina, Italy
155. Associazione Amicizia Sardegna Palestina, Italy
156. Associazione Nazionale Giuristi Democratici, Italy
157. AssoPacePalestina, Italy
158. BDS Italia, Italy159. BDS Sardegna, Italy
160. Cagliari Social Forum, Italy
161. Circolo ARCI » Montefortino 93″, Italy
162. Comitato « Con la Palestina nel cuore », Italy
163. Comitato Acqua Pubblica Salerno, Italy
164. Coordinamento Nord Sud del Mondo , Italy
165. Partito dei Comunisti Italiani, Italy
166. Rete Della Pace, Italy
167. Rete Italiana per il Disarmo, Italy
168. Rete No War Roma, Italy
169. Rete Radié Resch, Italy
170. Rete Romana di Solidarietà con il Popolo Palestinese , Italy
171. Salaam ragazzi dell’olivo Trieste, Italy
172. Sbilanciamoci, Italy
173. Scuola di Italiano Libera la Parola, Italy
174. Statunitensi contro la Guerra (Firenze) , Italy
175. Tavolo Interventi Civili di pace, Italy
176. Women in Black, Italy
Luxembourg
177. ATTAC Luxembourg, Luxembourg
178. CPJPO-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
179. Les Amis Du Monde Diplomatique, Luxembourg
Netherlands
180. Socialistische Partij , political party, Netherlands
181. NIDA Rotterdam (political party)
182. Netherlands Palestine Committee (NPK), Netherlands
183. Diensten en Onderzoek Centrum Palestina (docP), Netherlands
184 Women in Black, Amsterdam, Netherlands
185. Women-Men in Black, Groningen, Netherlands
186. Internationale Socialisten, Netherlands
187 Palestine Link, Netherlands
188. Palestina Komitee Rotterdam, Netherlands
189. Palestina Komitee Nijmegen, Netherlands
190. Stichting Palestina
191. Breed Platform Palestina (BPP), Haarlem
192. Palestijnse Gemeenschap in Nederland (PGN), Netherlands
193. Ander Europa
194. International Committee Against Disappearances (ICAD), Netherlands
195. VIA (Netherlands branch of SCI)
196. HOPE Foundation
197. Grenzeloos, Netherlands
198. Stichting Groningen-Jabalya, Netherlands
199. VD AMOK, Netherlands
200. Utrecht4Palestine, Netherlands
201. Tiye International, Netherlands
202. Palestijnse Huis HPH, Netherlands
203. Werkgroup Keerpunt Netherlands
204. Al-Awda, Netherlands, Netherlands
205. Stichting Palestijnse Vrouwen in Nederland, Netherlands
206. EMCEMO, Netherlands
207. Komiteé Marokkaanse Arbeiders Nederland (KMAN), Netherlands
208. Vrouwen voor Vrede, Netherlands, Netherlands
209. HTIB, Netherlands
210. DIDF, Netherlands
211. Verenigde Wereldburgers voor Internationaal Recht, Netherlands
212. Middle-East Committee, Green Left Party, Netherlands
213. Stichting Kifaia, Netherlands
214. PAIS Werkgroep Rotterdam Rijnmond, Netherlands
215. Humanist Peace Council (HVB), Netherlands
216. Vereniging Burgerinitiatief ‘Sloop de Muur’, Netherlands
217. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Netherlands
218. Kairos Palestina, Netherlands
219. Nederlands-Arabische Vrouwenkring
220. Transnational Institute (TNI), Netherlands
221. Stop de Bezetting, Netherlands
222. Landelijk Beraad Marokkanen, Netherlands
223. Kerk en Vrede, Netherlands
224. Vrienden van Sabeel Nederland (VVSN), Netherlands.
Poland
225. Kampania Palestyna, Poland
226. Ogólnopolski Związek Zawodowy Inicjatywa Pracownicza, Poland
Portugal
227. BDS – Portugal, Portugal
228. Comité de Solidariedade com a Palestina, Portugal
229. Grupo Acção Palestina, Portugal
Slovakia
230. Iniciatíva za spravodlivý mier na Blízkom východe / Slovak Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle
East, Slovakia
231. Inštitút ľudských práv / Human Rights Institute, Slovakia
232. Palestínsky klub na Slovensku, Slovakia
233. Sieť proti chudobe / Slovak Anti-Poverty Network, Slovakia
234. Slovensko bez náckov, Slovakia
235. Utopia, o. z., Slovakia
236. Zjednotení za mier, Slovakia
Slovenia
237. Association for Nonviolent Communication, Slovenia
238. BDS Slovenija, Slovenia
239. Cultural Artistic Association Transformator, Slovenia
240. Društvo ŠKUC, Slovenia
241. Društvo UP, Slovenia
242. Društvo za človekove pravice in človeku prijazne dejavnosti Humanitas
243. Institute Abraham, Slovenia
244. Journalists Union, Slovenia
245. Peace Institute, Slovenia
246 Zavod Krog, Slovenia
247. Zofijini ljubimci – društvo za razvoj humanistike, Slovenia
248. Zavod Nur, Slovenia
249.Slovenska Filantropija, Slovenia
Spain
250. Equo, political party, Spain
251. Izquierda Abierta, political party, Spain
252. Izquierda Anticapitalista, political party, Spain
253. Izquierda Unida, political party, Spain
254. Podemos, political party, Spain
255. Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), trade union, Spain
256. Sindicato Andaluz de Trabajadores, trade union, Spain
257. Sindicato único de Trabajadores Solidaridad Obrera, trade union, Spain
258. Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), trade union, Spain
259. Sindicato Cobas Canaias, trade union, Spain
260. ACSUR-Las Segovias, Spain
261. AIETI, Spain
262. Al-Quds association for solidarity with the people in arab countries, Spain
263. Antikapitalistak, Spain
264. Arquitectos sin Fronteras, Spain
265. Asociación de Inmigrantes del Sahara Occidental en Canarias- AISOC, Spain
266. Asociación Palestina BILADI, Spain
267. Asociación Paz Ahora, Spain
268. Asociación Paz con Dignidad, Spain
269. Asociación Sociocultural Café d’Espacio, Spain
270. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe, Spain271. Comunidad Hispano Palestina, Spain
272. Comunidad Palestina de Valencia, Spain
273. Comunidad Palestina en Canarias, Spain
274. Coordinadora 25S, Spain
275. Coordinadora ONGD Navarra, Spain
276. Coordinadora Sindical Canaria de Apoyo al Pueblo Saharaui , Spain
277. Corriente Roja, Spain
278. Dones en Rebel·lia, Spain
279. Eirene cultura para la paz., Spain
280. Fundación Madrid Paz y Solidaridad, Spain
281. General Union of Palesitnian Communities in Europe, Spain
282. Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya, Spain
283. Intersindical Canaria, Spain
284. Los Verdes – Grupo Verde, Spain
285. Mujeres por la Paz y Acción Solidaria con Palestina, Spain
286. MUNDUBAT, Spain
287. NOVACT International Institute for Nonviolent Action, Spain
288. NUEVA CANARIAS, Spain
289. Ong Al Zaituna, Spain
290. Palestina Digital, Spain
291. Palestina Toma La Calle, Spain
292. Plataforma 2015 y más Fundación Mundubat, Spain
293. Plaza de los Pueblos 15M Madrid, Spain
294. Red Roja, Spain
295. Red Solidaria contra la Ocupación de Palestina RESCOP-BDS, Spain
296. Revolta Global-Esquerra Anticapitalista, Spain
297. Rumbo a Gaza, Spain
298. Unadikum, Spain
299. Unión de Juventudes Comunistas de España , Spain
300. SODePAZ, Spain
301. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz, Spain
Sweden
302. The Palestine Solidarity Association of Sweden (PGS), Sweden
UK
303. Boycott Israel Network, UK
304. British Committee for Universities of Palestine, UK
305. Caabu – Advancing Arab-British Understanding, UK
306. ICAHD UK, UK
307. Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, UK
308. Jews for Justice for Palestinians, UK
309. Kairos Britain, UK
310. Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, UK
311. Liverpool Friends of Palestine, UK
312. Muslim Association Of Britain, UK
313. Palestine Legal Action Network, UK
314. Plymouth Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
315. Scottish Friends of Palestine, UK
316. Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
317.Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
318. War on Want, UK
Notes and links
The ten EU countries in which no organisations signed are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Romania.