Citizens across Europe are seeking to bring the Gaza issue back onto the European Union’s political agenda through a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) launched by a group of left-wing Members of the European Parliament. The campaign aims to collect one million signatures from at least seven EU member states to compel the European Commission to formally review calls for the full suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement.
The agreement, which grants Israel trade privileges with the EU, has been at the center of criticism since 7 October 2023. Although an EU-backed review initiated in May 2025 found that Israel had violated international law in Gaza, no concrete political action followed, and proposed sanctions were later shelved.
Launched on 13 January under the title “Justice for Palestine,” the initiative has reportedly gathered more than 300,000 signatures within its first week. The campaign is supported by parties including France’s La France Insoumise, Spain’s Podemos, Portugal’s Bloco de Esquerda, and several Nordic left-wing movements, along with civil society groups and trade unions.
Organizers argue that the Association Agreement includes a human rights clause and that maintaining it undermines EU principles. While the ECI does not legally force the Commission to propose legislation, reaching the required number of signatures would oblige the Commission to publicly respond, hold meetings with organizers, and debate the issue in the European Parliament.
Supporters see the initiative as a tool to generate political pressure and prevent the Gaza file from being sidelined, as military operations and humanitarian concerns in the region continue despite ceasefire efforts.
Source:AA
