Israel and the EU

Latest news about relations between the European Union and Israel

The EU and Israel committed themselves to establishing a partnership which provides for close political and mutually beneficial trade and investment relations together with economic, social, financial, civil scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.

The Action Plan concluded with Israel helped give new energy and focus to EU-Israel relations. Its objective is to gradually integrate Israel into European policies and programmes. Every step taken is determined by both sides and the Action Plan is tailor-made to reflect Israel’s interests and priorities as well as its level of development.

There is also, for the first time, a financial assistance element to EU-Israel cooperation - Israel is eligible for €14 million in European Community financial cooperation over the next seven years.

The legal basis for the EU’s relations with Israel is the EU-Israel Association Agreement .

As a result of the Action Plan discussions on the most contentious issue of EU-Israel relations over the years, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have been stepped up.

2007 has seen renewed efforts by the international community, including the revitalization of the quartet, combined with increased support from regional partners for peace and stability in the Middle East. The EU believes that the creation of an independent, viable and democratic Palestinian state is in Israel’s interest.

FACT SHEETS

• Israel: Economy Overview
• Israel Investment Climate 2009
• Starting a business in Israel
• EU Delegation to Israel

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LATEST NEWS

EU speeds up aid for Palestinians — 15 January 2013, 22:12 CET

The European Union said Tuesday it was speeding up disbursement of aid to help ensure there is no interruption in its support for the Palestinian Authority and UN refugee programmes.

EU to propose peace plan after Israel vote: report — 13 January 2013, 23:23 CET

The European Union is drawing up a detailed new plan to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and expects to present it after this month's Israeli general election, Yediot Aharonot reported Sunday.

EU, Russia say new settlements are 'obstacle to peace' — 21 December 2012, 19:26 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday issued a rare and strong joint condemnation of Israeli plans to massively expand settlements.

EU condemns Israel settler plans as threat to peace process — 20 December 2012, 08:37 CET

The European Union said it "strongly opposed" the latest "extremely troubling" Israeli plans for more settler homes around Jerusalem which would only further undermine the peace process.

EU's Jewish policy 'like 1930s': Israel's Lieberman — 11 December 2012, 22:03 CET

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticised Europe on Tuesday, saying its treatment of the Jewish state was comparable to policies during the Holocaust.

Israel rejects EU outcry over new settlements — 10 December 2012, 22:09 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday scoffed at international criticism of his plans to build settler housing on occupied land east of Jerusalem.

EU 'deeply dismayed' by Israeli settlements — 10 December 2012, 21:55 CET

The EU said Monday it is "deeply dismayed" by Israel's plans for new West Bank settlements, a move which threatens to undercut peace efforts that instead should be revived.

EU tells Israeli ambassador of concerns over settlements — 06 December 2012, 16:53 CET

The European Union called in Israel's ambassador on Thursday to express its concerns over his country's plans to build thousands of new settler homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

EU summons Israeli ambassador on settlement plan — 05 December 2012, 17:03 CET

The European Union said Wednesday it was summoning the Israeli ambassador over the government's plan to build thousands of new settler homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Football: Drogba denies backing pro-Palestinian petition — 04 December 2012, 21:22 CET

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is the latest player to distance himself from a petition to UEFA denouncing awarding the European under-21 football championships to Israel.

EU says no sign of Israel axing settlement plans — 04 December 2012, 22:40 CET

The EU has yet to see any signs that Israel is planning to axe plans to build settler homes in a highly contentious strip of West Bank land near Jerusalem, despite huge pressure, a top official said Tuesday.

EU trade sanctions against Israel unlikely: Britain — 04 December 2012, 14:30 CET

The European Union is unlikely to use trade sanctions to punish Israel over its plans to build new settlements, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Tuesday.

EU 'diplomatic tsunami' over Israel settlement plans — 04 December 2012, 11:07 CET

Israel's premier faces a European "diplomatic tsunami" over controversial settlement plans as he heads to Germany this week, but also pressure at home to hew to his tough line ahead of January elections.

EU urges Israel to annul massive settlement plan — 02 December 2012, 18:48 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Sunday urged Israel to annul plans to build 3,000 new settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, saying it would be "an obstacle to peace".

EU backs Palestinian state even if split on UN vote — 29 November 2012, 23:24 CET

The European Union reiterated the bloc's support for a Palestinian state Thursday despite splits between its 27 member states over granting upgraded status to the Palestinians at the United Nations.

Lithuania to abstain on Palestinian UN bid as EU split — 28 November 2012, 13:54 CET

Lithuania will abstain on the looming Palestinian bid for upgraded UN membership, given the lack of a united stance in the 27-nation European Union, President Dalia Grybauskaite said Wednesday.

Russia says Quartet 'insufficient' to solve Mideast crisis — 23 November 2012, 10:56 CET

Russia on Friday said the Middle East Quartet is an "insufficient" format for long-term resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, calling on the body to work together with the Arab League.

EU welcomes Gaza ceasefire, urges implementation — 22 November 2012, 10:52 CET

European Union leaders, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire proclaimed in Gaza, saying it was "now crucial" to make sure it was implemented.

EU calls for 'immediate' halt to hostilities — 19 November 2012, 18:17 CET

European Union foreign ministers Monday called for an "immediate" halt to hostilities in Gaza and Israel as a new strike in a sixth day of violence pushed the toll in Gaza to over 100.

Iran asks UN, EU to halt 'barbaric' Israel assault on Gaza — 15 November 2012, 22:05 CET

Iran called on the United Nations and the European Union on Thursday to halt Israel's "barbaric" offensive against the Gaza Strip.

EU voices concern over deadly Gaza flare-up — 12 November 2012, 12:06 CET

The European Union voiced concern Monday about the latest flare-up of deadly violence on the Israeli-Gaza border and called on both sides to show restraint.

EU regrets Israel to build 1,213 new settlement homes — 08 November 2012, 17:56 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday criticised Israel for offering tenders this week for the construction of 1,213 new homes in settlement neighbourhoods of east Jerusalem.

Obama views on Iran 'different' than Israel: official report — 08 November 2012, 17:05 CET

An Iranian intelligence ministry report has said the Obama administration has "completely different" views on Iran than its ally Israel and more flexible ones than the European Union, breaking from the usual official rhetoric.

Abbas talks of Palestinian UN status to Ashton — 25 October 2012, 22:10 CET

Mahmud Abbas on Thursday briefed EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton about attempts to raise the Palestinians' UN status to non-member state, a report said.

Ashton in Israel as Gaza violence flares — 24 October 2012, 22:23 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton held talks Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as scores of Gaza rockets pounded southern Israel and air strikes killed four armed Palestinians.