As humanitarian and human rights organizations working in the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), we are deeply concerned about the prospects for the renewed EU-Israel Association Council.
The need for a principled and rights-based EU position towards the situation in Israel/Palestine is critical. In the context of this year marking 55 years of Israeli military occupation, the EU must not forget its responsibility towards the Palestinian people impacted daily by the policies and practices of an expansionist state operating with full impunity.
The Association Council will take place against the backdrop of an ever more deteriorating and hostile situation on the ground. So far, 2022 is the deadliest year for West Bank Palestinians since OCHA started recording fatalities in 2005, when compared to the same period of the previous 14 years. We are seeing alarmingly increasing rates of destruction of Palestinian and EU-funded structures.