BRUSELLS, February 4, 2026 (WAFA) – More than 400 former EU ambassadors, senior officials from EU institutions, ministers from member states, and 19 German diplomats called for increased diplomatic pressure on the Israeli occupation authorities. They stressed that failure to address the dire situation in the Gaza Strip and the deteriorating conditions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, will prevent the achievement of a lasting peace.
The signatories urged the EU to take a clear stance against Israeli annexation efforts, which threaten the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and undermine the two-state solution. They also emphasized the need to hold those responsible for violations of international law accountable.
The signatories called on the EU to immediately initiate a critical and time-bound dialogue with Israel regarding the so-called Association Agreement, which grants Israeli economic partners significant economic advantages in the European market. They also demanded a halt to all military support and trade with colonies deemed illegal under international law.
The 407 signatories noted that the continued Israeli aggression was one of the reasons for their action. According to the letter, nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed since last October, despite the ceasefire agreement, including more than 100 children, bringing the total number of martyrs since the beginning of the war to approximately 71,700.
The statement accused the Israeli occupation authorities of obstructing humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, pointing to the revocation of work permits for 37 aid organizations and an Israeli campaign to discredit the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The statement added that the culmination of this blatant disregard for a relevant ruling by the International Court of Justice was the demolition of UNRWA's headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem on January 20.
The statement emphasized that these Israeli actions and attacks constitute a serious threat to the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people and underscore the urgent need for clear and decisive diplomatic action from the European Union and its member states to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians and hold those responsible for violations of international law accountable.
K.T
