Fact Check: "The European Union announced a human rights review of its free trade deal with Israel in October 2023, with findings expected at a meeting of the bloc’s foreign affairs council later that month."
What We Know
In October 2023, the European Union (EU) initiated a review of its trade and cooperation agreement with Israel, primarily in response to Israel's military actions in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that ensued. This decision was supported by a majority of the EU's foreign ministers, with 17 out of 27 backing the Dutch proposal to assess whether Israel had violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, confirmed the launch of this review during a meeting in Brussels, stating, "It is clear from today's discussions that there is a strong majority in favour of a review of article 2 of our Association Agreement with Israel" (source-1).
The review aims to determine if Israel's actions in Gaza, particularly the blockade of humanitarian aid, constitute a breach of the agreement's stipulations regarding human rights and democratic principles (source-2). The findings of this review are expected to be discussed at a subsequent meeting of the EU's foreign affairs council later in October 2023.
Analysis
The claim that the EU announced a human rights review of its free trade deal with Israel in October 2023 is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The decision to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement was a significant development, reflecting the growing pressure on the EU to respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The backing from a majority of foreign ministers indicates a shift in the EU's approach to its relationship with Israel, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns (source-1, source-2).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they come from established news organizations and reflect official statements from EU representatives. The context provided by these sources illustrates the political dynamics within the EU, including the varying levels of support among member states for the review and the implications of the findings expected later in the month. The emphasis on human rights in the context of international agreements further supports the legitimacy of the review process (source-1, source-2).
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The European Union did announce a human rights review of its free trade deal with Israel in October 2023, with findings expected to be discussed at a meeting of the bloc’s foreign affairs council later that month. This conclusion is supported by multiple credible sources that confirm the EU's decision and the context surrounding it.
