The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, during a question session to the government at the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament, in Paris, on May 6, 2025. (Credit: Bertrand Guay/AFP.)
The Netherlands' request to revise the association agreement between the EU and Israel is "legitimate," the French foreign minister said Sunday. He urged "the European Commission to examine" the file, as humanitarian aid has not reached Gaza for over two months.
"The Netherlands has asked the European Commission to analyze the Israeli government's compliance with Article 2 of this association agreement with Israel," French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, stated on French media. He emphasized that the relations between the EU and Israel are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. "It is a legitimate request, and I urge the European Commission to examine it," he added.
When asked if this meant France was in favor of questioning this agreement, the minister responded, "Let's see the analysis that the European Commission will make regarding Israel's compliance or non-compliance with Article 2 of this agreement."
The minister highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. "I believe we must acknowledge reality. The reality is that the Palestinians in Gaza are starving, they are thirsty, they lack everything, and the Gaza Strip is today on the brink of chaos and collapse due to famine," he denounced. "I believe everyone is aware of it," he said.
"We hear, including from the Jewish community, voices expressing concern over this incomprehensible attitude of the Israeli government," he added. "And it is by speaking out that we can perhaps hope to influence the Israelis' stance."
The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, offered Israel assistance in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza on Wednesday. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp sent her a letter demanding a revision of the association agreement between the EU and Israel, in accordance with its Article 2. "I would like to request an examination of Israel's compliance with Article 2 as soon as possible," the minister wrote in this letter, of which AFP obtained a copy.
