EU Petition Hits 1 Million Signatures, Triggering Review of Israel Trade Pact

Overview

• The European Citizens' Initiative known as Justice for Palestine has passed one million signatures to seek full suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement.
• Under the initiative rules, once signatures are validated from at least seven countries, the European Commission must issue a formal response and the European Parliament must hold a hearing.
• Organisers say they reached the threshold in about three months, met national quotas in ten member states, and are now aiming for 1.5 million signatures.
• The petition argues that Israeli actions in Gaza breach international law and cites an International Court of Justice order as part of its case.
• The trade pact has granted Israel preferential access since 2000, with goods trade worth about €42.6 billion in 2024, and fresh calls from Spain’s prime minister and more than 60 NGOs add pressure even as no Council majority for suspension exists.