Sweden calls for freeze on trade element of EU-Israel agreement
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson has demanded that the EU freeze the trade part of its association agreement with Israel.
“The situation in Gaza is utterly deplorable, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid,” Kristersson wrote on X.
“Sweden therefore demands that the EU, as soon as possible, freezes the trade component of the association agreement. Economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza.” The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner.
Respect for human rights
Earlier this week, Dutch Foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp indicated that if Israel did not fulfil its humanitarian obligations, the Netherlands would push for the suspension of the trade part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
"Economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza"
The agreement, which entered into force in 2000, is intended to provide a legal and institutional framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation.
A European Commission report presented to member states at the end of June found that Israel was in breach of an article of its association agreement with the EU on respect for human rights.
The European executive has been working on its response, debating several possible options including banning certain exports and revising its visa policy.
A proposal presented this week is one of the more restricted options. It consists of partially suspending Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research programme, which would impact start-ups specialising in cybersecurity, drones and AI.
Member states are divided on the attitude to adopt towards Israel since the start of its war in Gaza, in response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
Sweden was the first major Western European country to recognise the state of Palestine in 2014. In a letter published on Wednesday, France and 14 other Western countries called for Palestine to be recognised as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In his statement on Thursday, Kristersson also called for increased pressure on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.
“Sweden welcomes the fact that more countries in the Middle East are demanding that Hamas be disarmed and not have a role in the future governance of Gaza,” he said.
People carrying sacks of flour after humanitarian aid trucks entered the northern Gaza Strip, 17 June 2025 © PHOTO BASHAR TALEB / AFP
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