EU divided as Germany and Italy block bid to suspend Israel trade pact

Germany and Italy blocked a push by Spain, Ireland and Slovenia to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement amid Gaza and West Bank violence; the ministers shelved the bid and signaled that other options may be discussed at the next meeting as the EU remains split on how to respond. An EU review had suggested Israel likely breached its human-rights obligations under the pact, and while talk of trade measures emerged, none were implemented after Israel pledged increased humanitarian aid. Ireland, Spain and Slovenia have moved to curb trade with settlements and Ireland seeks to revive the Occupied Territories Bill, while several EU states recognized Palestine in 2024 to press for a two-state solution.