The European Citizens’ Initiative was launched by the European Left Alliance together with civil society groups and pro-Palestinian movements. Organizers say they aim to collect 1.5 million signatures before closing the campaign.
National authorities will now have three months to verify the signatures, after which the initiative can be formally submitted.
The European Commission will then have to say what action it intends to take, or explain why it will not act. The European Parliament must hold a hearing with the organizers and may also debate and vote on a resolution.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, in force since 2000, provides the framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, with total goods trade reaching EUR 42.6 billion in 2024.
In September 2025, as Israel’s offensive in Gaza continued, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a partial suspension of the agreement, citing a “man-made famine” and “a clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution”.
Euronews reported that the proposal has since stalled amid divisions among member states. Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic are among countries that have opposed the move, blocking the qualified majority needed for trade restrictions.
(jh)
Source: Euronews, ECI