Call from Belgian universities to suspend the EU Association Agreement with Israel

All Belgian universities are calling on the European Commission to suspend the Association Agreement with Israel, in a "Call for a values-driven European Union. In Word and in Deed" published on 15/05/2025. They argue that, "despite numerous human rights violations documented by the UN, the EU continues to treat Israel as a privileged partner, including in the Horizon Europe programme".

The universities are launching this appeal in the context of the European Foreign Affairs Council, which will meet to discuss whether Israel still meets the conditions of Article 2 of the Association Agreement with the European Union on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which forms the basis for cooperation with third countries, on 20/05/2025.

"If this foundation is systematically violated, it must have consequences. Otherwise, our European treaties risk becoming hollow words. But those values are only credible if our partners are held accountable to them. It cannot be the case that those values matter less depending on how strategic or sensitive the partner is. That uncomfortable…