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Spain has renewed its campaign for the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, using a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg that will be held today April 21, to press for formal action. Madrid argues that the bloc cannot maintain a privileged relationship with a government it says is breaching international law and failing to meet the human rights obligations written into the treaty. 

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced at the weekend that Spain would submit the proposal to the EU, stating that a government which violates international law “cannot be a partner of the European Union”. His comments marked the strongest public statement yet from Spain on the issue. 

Ireland and Slovenia join Spanish initiative

Spain is no longer acting alone. Ireland and Slovenia have joined the effort and sent a joint letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling for the matter to be placed on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. The three governments said recent developments in Gaza, the West Bank and the wider region required a reassessment of the EU’s response. 

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said before the meeting that the EU should send a “strong signal” by suspending the agreement. He argued that failing to respond would damage the credibility of the bloc’s stated commitment to human rights and international law. 

What the agreement covers

The EU-Israel Association Agreement entered into force in 2000 and provides the framework for political dialogue, trade and cooperation between the two sides. It includes Article 2, which states that relations are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.

That clause has become the legal basis for calls to review or suspend the arrangement.  The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner, meaning any move to suspend the deal would carry economic as well as diplomatic consequences. 

Long-running dispute inside the EU

This is not the first time Spain has raised the issue. In 2024, Spain and Ireland requested an assessment of whether Israel was complying with its obligations under the agreement after the outbreak of the Gaza war. In 2025, the EU agreed to carry out a review.

According to reported findings, officials identified indications that Israel may not be meeting its human rights commitments, though no sanctions followed. The question has since become part of a wider debate over how far the EU should use trade and diplomatic tools in response to the conflict.

Resistance from member states remains strong

Despite the latest push, no immediate suspension is expected. Several member states have previously opposed such a move, and diplomats cited in recent reports said there is still no broad consensus for ending the agreement. Countries including Germany and Italy have been identified among those resisting the proposal. 

Under current EU practice, major foreign policy decisions often require strong backing from member states, making contentious measures difficult to pass when governments are divided.

Broader political significance

Spain’s latest move reflects a more assertive stance it has taken on the conflict over the past two years. Madrid recognised a Palestinian state in 2024 and has repeatedly called for stronger European pressure over the war in Gaza and regional escalation. 

For supporters of the proposal, the issue is whether the EU applies its principles consistently across different international crises. For opponents, suspending the agreement risks closing channels of dialogue at a time of regional instability.

No decision yet

As the outcome of the meeting is pending, no suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been confirmed. Spain’s proposal has placed the issue before EU foreign ministers, but any formal response will depend on the position taken by member states once discussions conclude.

With three governments now openly backing action, pressure is likely to continue in the coming weeks, even if agreement among all 27 member states remains distant. Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have made clear they intend to keep the matter under discussion, ensuring it remains part of the EU’s wider foreign policy debate as the conflict and humanitarian situation continue to draw international scrutiny.

More than half of Britons now support rejoining the European Union, according to new polling published almost 10 years after the 2016 referendum that led to Brexit. The survey, commissioned by Best for Britain and released on April 17, found that 53% of voters would back returning to the EU. The result adds to evidence from recent years suggesting attitudes towards Brexit have changed since the original vote.

In June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union by 51.9% to 48.1%. The decision triggered years of political debate, leadership changes, parliamentary deadlock and negotiations with Brussels. Britain formally left the EU on January 31 2020. Although rejoining is not current government policy, the latest findings indicate that the issue remains politically relevant as the tenth anniversary of the referendum approaches.

Strong support among Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green voters

The poll found the highest support for rejoining among voters who back parties that have traditionally favoured closer ties with Europe. Among Labour supporters, 83% said they would support re-entry to the bloc. Support stood at 84% among Liberal Democrat voters and 82% among Green voters.

Among Conservative voters, the figure was lower at 39%, while 18% of Reform UK supporters said they would back rejoining. The differences reflect how views on Europe continue to align with wider political loyalties. While the referendum took place nearly a decade ago, Brexit remains closely linked to party identity and broader views about sovereignty, trade and immigration.

No immediate route back to membership

Despite the poll result, there is no major Westminster party currently campaigning to take the UK back into the European Union. Labour has ruled out rejoining the EU, the single market and the customs union during the current parliament. Instead, it has argued for a more practical relationship with European partners, including cooperation on trade, defence, security and scientific research.

The Conservative Party continues to defend Brexit as the outcome of a democratic vote and argues that leaving the EU gave the UK greater control over domestic decision-making. Reform UK has also opposed closer political integration with Brussels and has called for further distance from EU institutions.

That means there is currently no clear parliamentary path towards renewed membership, even if public support continues to rise.

Brexit’s legacy still debated

The impact of Brexit remains contested. Supporters argue that leaving restored control over laws, borders and trade policy, allowing Britain to negotiate its own international agreements. Critics point to added trade barriers, customs paperwork for exporters and reduced freedom of movement compared with the pre-Brexit system. Some sectors, including agriculture, hospitality and health care, have also raised concerns about labour shortages and recruitment pressures since migration rules changed.

The effects have not been uniform. Some businesses adapted quickly, while others continue to report higher costs or more complex administration. Different regions and industries have therefore experienced Brexit in different ways. That mixed picture helps explain why public opinion has continued to shift rather than settle into a fixed position.

Poll reflects mood rather than policy change

Opinion polls provide a measure of public sentiment at a particular moment, but they do not in themselves determine government policy. Results can also vary depending on the wording of questions, sample size and current political events. Even so, support above the 50% mark is significant. It suggests that rejoining the EU is no longer a minority position within this survey.

There is still no sign of an immediate move towards membership. Any future attempt to rejoin would require sustained political backing, negotiations with the EU and a clear mandate from voters. For now, the poll is best seen as a snapshot of how views have changed since 2016. Nearly a decade after the referendum, Britain’s relationship with Europe remains one of the defining issues in national politics.