Ruptly
"MEPs have called on the European Commission to take action after the 'Justice for Palestine' European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), which calls for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, reached one million signatures. "Millions of voices have been raised for more than two years in Europe. They denounce Israel's impunity and warn about the responsibility of European leaders to uphold international law," said MEP Rima Hassan during a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday. "This initiative is a first civic victory. The European Commission and the Europeans are now facing their historical responsibilities. This morning, this call to immediately suspend the association agreement is being echoed by more than 350 former ministers, ambassadors, and high-ranking European officials," she added. As per the procedure, member states have three months to verify the validity of the signatures and then submit the initiative to the European Commission. The European Commission is then required to examine the proposal and decide whether to take action or not. Although it is not legally obliged to introduce legislation. "The ball will be on the commission side […] it's up to the Commission to make proposals," Left Group co-chair Manon Aubry said. "Either it will put forward a proposal, either it doesn't, but it means they are putting aside 1.5 million people across Europe. […] Is that the democracy that Ursula von der Leyen wants to build?” she questioned. “I think it will be very hard for them to walk away," she continued. A civil petition was introduced in January 2026 under the title 'Justice for Palestine.' The initiative called for the total suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement over alleged war crimes by Israel in the Gaza Strip. The agreement, which came into effect in 2000, includes a human rights clause stating that relations between the parties are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles."
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