Foreign Minister Lipavský: Czechia opposes suspension of EU–Israel Association Agreement

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Spolu) has stated that Czechia will oppose suspending the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel. Mr. Lipavský said on X, that in a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, he had assured him that the Czech Republic would not support the proposal, since it is not in the EU’s interest to reduce its influence in the region. At the same time he  stressed the need for the war in Gaza to end as soon as possible and for the humanitarian situation to improve.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she will propose sanctions against Israel on Wednesday, as the Israeli military presses ahead with a ground offensive in Gaza City. The plan includes suspending certain trade provisions under the EU-Israel Association Agreement and sanctioning extremist government ministers and violent settlers.