EU using trade deal to talk tough to Israel – Sefcovic

The EU is using the weight of its trade deal with Israel to demand a ceasefire, the incoming Trade Commissioner has insisted. For months, the Taoiseach has been asking - without success - for the European Commission to consider whether Israel is breaching the human rights clause of its trade deal with the EU. Former Brexit chief, Maroš Šefčovič, has been nominated as the next EU trade commissioner. MEPs must decide if he is up to the job. Facing scrutiny in the European Parliament this afternoon, he would not commit to suspending the EU’s trade deal with Israel. But he insisted the EU is using the influence of the multi-billion euro agreement to talk tough with Israel.

 

Out words: In the Middle East

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