Newsroom
The European Commission has officially registered a new European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, citing alleged human rights violations by Israel. The initiative, titled “We Demand the Full Suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement Due to Israel’s Human Rights Violations,” now enters the first stage of the ECI process.
Registration by the Commission confirms that the initiative meets the formal legal requirements under EU rules, but it does not imply any judgment on the substance of the proposal. The Commission has yet to evaluate the merits of the initiative itself, and the registration does not constrain any future actions the Commission may take.
For the initiative to advance, it must gather at least one million verified signatures from EU citizens within a twelve-month period. These signatures must come from at least seven different EU member states. Organizers have a six-month window to launch the official collection phase. If the signature threshold is met, the Commission will be required to respond and decide on potential measures, providing a detailed justification for its decision.
The ECI mechanism is designed to give EU citizens a formal channel to influence policy, ensuring that initiatives with widespread support receive consideration at the European level.
