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

Israel to publish tenders for 700 settler homes — 23 October 2012, 15:42 CET

Israel is to invite tenders for the construction of nearly 700 homes in annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, days after the European Union slammed its ongoing settlement construction.

Ashton on five-day Middle East tour — 22 October 2012, 17:47 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton toured a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan on Monday and held talks with King Abdullah II on the first leg of a five-day Middle East tour.

Israel PM vows to continue building in Jerusalem — 21 October 2012, 19:31 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pledged to continue unhindered construction in Jerusalem, including in its annexed eastern sector, despite criticism from the European Union.

EU 'regrets' Israeli settlement plan — 20 October 2012, 11:33 CET

The European Union's foreign policy chief on Thursday criticised Israel's plan to build hundreds of homes in annexed east Jerusalem and called for it to hold fresh talks with the Palestinians.

Israel PM welcomes fresh EU sanctions on Iran — 16 October 2012, 22:27 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the European Union on Tuesday for the latest round of sanctions imposed on Iran, but reserved judgement on whether it would halt its nuclear drive.

Israeli envoy to Sweden 'regrets' Iran comments — 15 October 2012, 19:28 CET

Israel's ambassador to Stockholm voiced regret Monday at an Israeli official's remark that Sweden would oppose stronger EU sanctions against Iran to protect a business deal, the Swedish government said.

Sweden summons Israeli ambassador on Iran newspaper story — 15 October 2012, 13:02 CET

Sweden's foreign ministry said it had summoned Israel's ambassador on Monday after an Israeli official was quoted as saying Stockholm would oppose more EU sanctions on Iran to protect a business deal.

Israel, Palestinians congratulate EU, urge peace efforts — 13 October 2012, 00:21 CET

Israel and the Palestinians congratulated the European Union on Friday for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and said they expected the EU to continue its peacemaking efforts in the Middle East.

Israel urges EU to continue Middle East peacemaking efforts — 12 October 2012, 16:49 CET

Israel congratulated the European Union on Friday over being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and said it expected the EU to continue its peacemaking efforts in the Middle East.

Abbas backs EU statements as basis for peace talks — 09 October 2012, 18:59 CET

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told EU envoys on Tuesday he accepts European declarations on the peace process as the basis for renewing talks with Israel and plans to incorporate them into his UN statehood campaign.

EU voices 'great concern' for Palestinian hunger strikers — 14 September 2012, 23:36 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "great concern" Friday over the fate of three Palestinians on hunger strike in Israeli detention after the ICRC warned they risked death.

Britain urges EU to blacklist Hezbollah military wing — 08 September 2012, 00:35 CET

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague on Friday urged the European Union to place the military branch of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on its list of "terrorist" organisations.

EU must blacklist Hezbollah, says Netanyahu — 05 September 2012, 18:11 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged the European Union to place the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on its list of "terrorist" organisations.

Ashton rails against Israeli settlement tender — 22 August 2012, 11:58 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton complained on Wednesday about the "implications" of an Israeli decision to put out to tender new housing units in an East Jerusalem settlement she considers illegal.

EU chief condemns Iranian president's Israel 'cancer' remark — 18 August 2012, 21:47 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton added her voice Saturday to condemnation of the latest anti-Israel comments made by Iranian leaders.

EU strengthens ties with Israel despite concerns, criticism — 24 July 2012, 22:56 CET

The European Union approved 60 new cooperation activities with Israel on Tuesday despite "concerns" over rights, and criticism from the Palestinian authorities on the new deals.

EU rejects Israeli request to blacklist Hezbollah — 24 July 2012, 22:50 CET

The European Union turned down a request Tuesday by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to blacklist Hezbollah as a terror group after last week's deadly bombing in Bulgaria.

EU to strengthen ties with Israel despite criticism — 23 July 2012, 16:02 CET

The European Union looks poised to strengthen ties with Israel by approving 60 new cooperation activities, despite its recent denunciation of Israeli policy, diplomats have told AFP.

EU to strengthen ties with Israel despite criticism — 23 July 2012, 11:32 CET

The European Union looks poised to strengthen ties with Israel by approving 60 new cooperation activities, despite its recent denunciation of Israeli policy.

Israel to urge EU to blacklist Hezbollah after Burgas blast — 22 July 2012, 21:52 CET

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is to head to Brussels on Monday to press his European Union counterparts to blacklist Hezbollah as a terror group after a deadly bombing in Bulgaria.

Police struggle to identify Bulgaria suicide bomber — 21 July 2012, 14:14 CET

Bulgarian police along with the CIA, FBI and Interpol are struggling to identify a suicide bomber who killed six people, including five Israelis, as the United States said the attack bore the "hallmarks" of Hezbollah.

Barroso, Netanyahu talk Iran, peace process — 09 July 2012, 22:41 CET

Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran's nuclear programme on the second day of his trip to Israel and the West Bank.

Israel grooms ties with EU member Czech Republic — 17 May 2012, 19:42 CET

Israel and the Czech Republic inked a raft of inter-governmental deals on Thursday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a two-day visit to Prague.

Israel, EU agree on aviation deal — 22 March 2012, 20:32 CET

Israel and the European Union on Thursday finalised an aviation agreement aimed at opening up and integrating their markets, a joint statement said.

EU corrects Ashton speech transcript after Israeli anger — 20 March 2012, 18:13 CET

The European Union issued Tuesday a corrected version of a speech by its foreign policy chief which had angered Israel because it appeared to link a French school shooting and Gaza.