Francesca Albanese Urges Europeans To Sign Petition Rejecting EU-Israel Agreement
In a powerful video message, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory Francesca Albanese called out the EU’s role in what she described as the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“There is no pride and no glory in being known as the chronicler of the genocide,” she said, urging Europeans to reject the EU’s association agreement with Israel.
Albanese criticised what she called the EU’s “pathetic role,” saying it had become “an alibi for member states not to comply with international law.”
She appealed directly to European citizens: “We are not powerless. We just need to activate our power… Sign the petition.”
The video is part of a campaign urging the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel over alleged violations of international law.
The agreement has been under review since May after a proposal issued by the Netherlands was backed by 17 out of 27 EU member states, including Malta. The EU executive will now assess whether Israel has breached its obligations under Article 2, which commits both parties to uphold human rights and democratic principles.
View this post on Instagram
The EU-Israel trade agreement, originally signed in 1995, is part of the EU’s broader association agreement with Israel. It establishes a free trade area between Israel and the EU by gradually removing tariffs on most industrial goods and certain agricultural products. This means goods can cross borders with lower costs and fewer barriers.
Beyond just tariffs, the agreement also covers areas like intellectual property rights, competition policy, and public procurement. It promotes cooperation in technology, research, and sustainable development. The deal strengthens economic and political ties by encouraging regulatory alignment and dialogue on trade-related issues.
Overall, it has helped Israel become one of the EU’s key trading partners in the Middle East, increasing both exports and imports between the two sides.
READ NEXT: Mediterrane Film Festival Cost Around €5 Million, Film Commissioner Confirms
