TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The relationship between Europe and Israel is beginning to deteriorate. The European Union and the United Kingdom are beginning to exert pressure on Israel for initiating a new military operation in Gaza on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Israel has been blocking various medical, food, and fuel aid to Gaza since early March. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as a fair self-defense effort to achieve victory. He also stated that he would end the war if Hamas hostages were released and there was demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
Here are the stances of the European countries, Britain, and Canada on Israel's new aggression in Gaza:
Britain, Canada, and France
"We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions," said a joint statement from the three countries released by the UK Government on May 19, 2025, as quoted from Chanel News Asia.
The three countries' leaders also warned Israel about the looming famine if aid restrictions were imposed. "The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," the joint statement of the three leaders read.
Britain, Canada, and France stated that the escalation by Israel was not proportionate. They firmly stated that the blockade of aid was a horrific act.
The European Union and the United Kingdom
The EU and the United Kingdom have affirmed that they will review their trade cooperation agreements with Israel. As reported by France24 and Al Jazeera, this decision is due to alleged human rights violations caused by Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian residents of Gaza.
The EU stated that it will review its trade cooperation agreements with Israel due to alleged human rights violations, following a meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday.
The EU's chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, stated that the "majority" of its 27 member countries who met in Brussels supported the move. Kallas added, "The countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable... and what we want is to unblock the humanitarian aid." The measure aims to determine whether Israel has violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Sweden
Sweden said it will press the EU to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers. "As long as we do not see a clear improvement in the situation of civilians in Gaza, we need to escalate our rhetoric," said Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Speaking in parliament, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot welcomed the decision, noting that 17 of the 27 EU member countries supported the proposal.
Sita Planasari contributed to the writing of this article
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