Amnesty wants EU Commission to launch review into Israel's adherence to international obligations

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – An international rights group on Thursday said that it wants the European Commission to initiate a review into Israel’s adherence to its commitments under international law.

“Amnesty calls on EU leaders to ask the EU Commission to launch a review into Israel's compliance with its obligations under international law, as per the EU-Israel Association Agreement,” Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office said on X as the EU leaders met at the European Council to discuss the situation in Gaza.

It further asked the EU leaders to call for an immediate and lasting cease-fire, and impose an arms embargo on all involved parties.

Noting that some EU countries reduced essential assistance to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and attempted to undermine its legitimacy, the group urged the EU leaders to secure sustainable funding and political backing for the agency.

“The EU has a responsibility to prevent atrocity crimes in Gaza. By failing to act, it is contributing to the suffering of Gazan civilians. Airdrops of aid & a maritime corridor are not enough: fighting must end to allow for adequate delivery of aid by land,” it added.

The group said that several EU states are “shamefully still” supplying arms and military equipment to Israel, denying Israeli violations and crimes under international law and helping sustain illegal settlements by engaging in trade with them.

It urged EU leaders to guarantee that no member states of the EU are providing Israel with arms, whether directly or indirectly.