French Foreign Minister: Paris May Reconsider Israel-EU Trade Deal Over Gaza genocide
Brussels (Quds News Network)- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the limited easing of the aid blockade could prompt a review of the European Union–Israel Association Agreement.
Barrot said “immediate and massive aid is needed” in Gaza, a day after his country signed on to a joint statement with other European countries threatening further action if Israel does not lift its blockade fully.
In the statement, 23 countries, including the UK, France and Canada warned Israel to let aid into Gaza, warning that the population faced “starvation”. It said humanitarian aid should never be politicised.
In an interview with France’s Inter Radio, Barrot said Israel’s partial lifting of the blockade on Monday was “totally insufficient”.
“Indiscriminate violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid by the Israeli government” have turned the besieged territory into “a death trap”, he added.
“Indeed, it’s been nearly three months that the Israeli army had been blocking access to all humanitarian aid, and it has now decided to slightly open the door, notably for reasons of domestic politics,” continues Barrot.
Barrot also said his government supports a review of the European Union-Israel trade deal, over concerns about Israel meeting its human rights commitments.
His comments come as EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the trade deal in Brussels on Tuesday, following a request from the Dutch foreign minister.
In response to Israel’s assault in Gaza, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has led an initiative demanding a review of the pact, which dictates that cooperation between the EU and Israel “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.”
On March 2, Israel announced the closure of Gaza’s main crossings, cutting off food, medical and humanitarian supplies, leading to an unprecedented deterioration of humanitarian conditions, according to reports by human rights organisations who have accused it of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinains.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, issued last week, warned that almost a quarter of the civilian population would face catastrophic levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase Five) in the coming months.
However, after about 80 days of total blockade and starvation and widespread international outrage, Israel allowed a very limited passage of aid trucks into the enclave.
The move is part of a US-Israeli plan to forcibly expel over 2 million Palestinians to southern Gaza to advance Israel’s expansion goals. Axios reported that aid will enter through several international organizations until a new US-Israeli aid mechanism begins on May 24. Other reports said some Israeli cabinet ministers believe Washington pushed for the move.
The joint statement issued on Monday also slammed the US-Israeli plan, which would see the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation delivering supplies under Israeli military protection.
“It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the United Nations and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives,” said the statement, which called on Israel to let the UN and aid organisations get on with their life-saving work.
