Martin Konečný
@martinkonecny.bsky.social
Running EuMEP (European Middle East Project) in Brussels, promoting just & fact-based EU policy on Israel/Palestine. www.eumep.org
Europe's response to a flawed, lopsided, deceitful US plan for Gaza
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Europe's response to a flawed, lopsided, deceitful US plan for Ukraine
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Europe's response to a flawed, lopsided, deceitful US plan for Ukraine
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Europe's response to a flawed, lopsided, deceitful US plan for Gaza
vs.
Europe's response to a flawed, lopsided, deceitful US plan for Ukraine
vs.
Europe's response to a flawed, lopsided, deceitful US plan for Ukraine
Should the EU Seek a Seat on Trump's Gaza Board of Peace?
With my two cents alongside others
With my two cents alongside others
❔| #TTP: Should the EU Seek a Seat on Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace?
Despite holding significant leverage, the EU remains sidelined in ongoing diplomacy around the Gaza peace plan.
How can the union overcome internal divisions to take a more active role?
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
Despite holding significant leverage, the EU remains sidelined in ongoing diplomacy around the Gaza peace plan.
How can the union overcome internal divisions to take a more active role?
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
Taking the Pulse: Should the EU Seek a Seat on Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace?
Despite holding significant leverage, the EU remains sidelined in ongoing diplomacy around the Gaza peace plan. How can the union overcome internal divisions to take a more active role?
carnegieendowment.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Should the EU Seek a Seat on Trump's Gaza Board of Peace?
With my two cents alongside others
With my two cents alongside others
Journalist: You've said Russia should repay for reconstruction of Ukraine. Do you believe Israel should repay for reconstruction of Gaza, since they destroyed almost the entire strip & civilian infrastructure?
EU chief spox: It’s an interesting question, on which I have no comment at this stage.
EU chief spox: It’s an interesting question, on which I have no comment at this stage.
October 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Journalist: You've said Russia should repay for reconstruction of Ukraine. Do you believe Israel should repay for reconstruction of Gaza, since they destroyed almost the entire strip & civilian infrastructure?
EU chief spox: It’s an interesting question, on which I have no comment at this stage.
EU chief spox: It’s an interesting question, on which I have no comment at this stage.
Important move by the Commission & VDL. But one measure missing in the package is to ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements. While 5 member states are already moving to do so at national level. And while the EU could also do so as a trade measure by qualified majority.
Today we propose to sanction extremist ministers and violent settlers, and suspend trade concessions with Israel.
And put bilateral support to Israel on hold, without affecting our work with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem.
link.europa.eu/nx3DrG
And put bilateral support to Israel on hold, without affecting our work with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem.
link.europa.eu/nx3DrG
September 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Important move by the Commission & VDL. But one measure missing in the package is to ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements. While 5 member states are already moving to do so at national level. And while the EU could also do so as a trade measure by qualified majority.
Reposted by Martin Konečný
I talked to @martinkonecny.bsky.social about the Israel- EU Association Agreement and the divided EU, which is unable to pressure the Israeli government via its trade and research connections.
nepszava.hu/3292930_mego...
nepszava.hu/3292930_mego...
Megosztott az EU Izrael ügyében, pedig lenne lehetősége nyomást gyakorolni Benjamin Netanjahu kormányára
Szakértők szerint Izrael megsérti az EU és Izrael közötti egyezményt, mert nem tartja be az emberi jogi kötelezettségeit, ezért az Uniónak már régen lépnie kellett volna, de erre egyelőre esély sincs.
nepszava.hu
September 3, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I talked to @martinkonecny.bsky.social about the Israel- EU Association Agreement and the divided EU, which is unable to pressure the Israeli government via its trade and research connections.
nepszava.hu/3292930_mego...
nepszava.hu/3292930_mego...
This is an overly positive take on the EU-Israel Gaza aid deal👇
Several points to make here:🧵
1. If this brings more aid to the starving Gazans through UN mechanisms - and I strongly hope it will - then it's a win that will save lives. But:
Several points to make here:🧵
1. If this brings more aid to the starving Gazans through UN mechanisms - and I strongly hope it will - then it's a win that will save lives. But:
For months, EU capitals on both sides of the bloc's Israel-Palestine divide have been privately attacking chief diplomat @kajakallas.bsky.social for her strategy towards the conflict.
Yesterday she agreed a Gaza aid deal with Israel that has silenced those critics
on.ft.com/4lQJuQd
Yesterday she agreed a Gaza aid deal with Israel that has silenced those critics
on.ft.com/4lQJuQd
Why Kallas’s aid deal is a major victory for Gaza and the EU
[FREE TO READ] Also in this newsletter: Denmark’s plan to drive up climate investments
on.ft.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This is an overly positive take on the EU-Israel Gaza aid deal👇
Several points to make here:🧵
1. If this brings more aid to the starving Gazans through UN mechanisms - and I strongly hope it will - then it's a win that will save lives. But:
Several points to make here:🧵
1. If this brings more aid to the starving Gazans through UN mechanisms - and I strongly hope it will - then it's a win that will save lives. But:
Reposted by Martin Konečný
Comment Bart De Wever compte-t-il "améliorer la situation humanitaire" à #Gaza sans suspension de l'Accord d'association ou sanctions contre #Israël?
Les condamnations 🇪🇺 n'ont jamais rien donné.
Le Conseil d'association UE-Israël n'a rien donné.
On attend sa recette miracle.
#SuspendtheDeal
Les condamnations 🇪🇺 n'ont jamais rien donné.
Le Conseil d'association UE-Israël n'a rien donné.
On attend sa recette miracle.
#SuspendtheDeal
Pour Bart De Wever, l’accord d’association UE-Israël n’a « pas grand-chose à voir » avec la situation humanitaire à Gaza
C’est ce qu’a affirmé le Premier ministre à son arrivée à Bruxelles pour un sommet européen. Il a déploré une situation humanitaire « inacceptable » dans le territoire palestinien.
www.lesoir.be
June 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Comment Bart De Wever compte-t-il "améliorer la situation humanitaire" à #Gaza sans suspension de l'Accord d'association ou sanctions contre #Israël?
Les condamnations 🇪🇺 n'ont jamais rien donné.
Le Conseil d'association UE-Israël n'a rien donné.
On attend sa recette miracle.
#SuspendtheDeal
Les condamnations 🇪🇺 n'ont jamais rien donné.
Le Conseil d'association UE-Israël n'a rien donné.
On attend sa recette miracle.
#SuspendtheDeal
EU foreign ministers & @kajakallas.bsky.social this Monday: Let's park the discussion on any EU measures of pressure on Israel despite its breach of the Association Agreement, our first focus should be on dialogue with Israel to help get humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israel:
Israel:
June 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
EU foreign ministers & @kajakallas.bsky.social this Monday: Let's park the discussion on any EU measures of pressure on Israel despite its breach of the Association Agreement, our first focus should be on dialogue with Israel to help get humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israel:
Israel:
Coalition of NGOs challenging @ec.europa.eu and @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social for continuing to treat Israel as an "adequate" country for unrestricted transfers of EU personal data despite escalating human rights violations and disregard for international law
A year of silence.
We’ve once again joined @EDRi and 17 NGOs urging the EU Commission and Michael McGrath to reassess the EU-Israel data adequacy decision.
Red flags remain unaddressed, and new developments make the need for action even more urgent. www.accessnow.org/press-releas...
We’ve once again joined @EDRi and 17 NGOs urging the EU Commission and Michael McGrath to reassess the EU-Israel data adequacy decision.
Red flags remain unaddressed, and new developments make the need for action even more urgent. www.accessnow.org/press-releas...
Civil society urges EU to reassess Israel’s adequacy status - European Digital Rights (EDRi)
The letter urges the European Commission to reassess Israel’s data protection adequacy status under the GDPR.
www.accessnow.org
June 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Coalition of NGOs challenging @ec.europa.eu and @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social for continuing to treat Israel as an "adequate" country for unrestricted transfers of EU personal data despite escalating human rights violations and disregard for international law
"We are ashamed of you" - powerful open letter by 200 Maltese writers, academics, artists and activists calling out @president.europarl.europa.eu Roberta Metsola's silence on Gaza. openlettertorobertametsola.wordpress.com/2025/06/05/5/
June 6, 2025 at 8:38 AM
"We are ashamed of you" - powerful open letter by 200 Maltese writers, academics, artists and activists calling out @president.europarl.europa.eu Roberta Metsola's silence on Gaza. openlettertorobertametsola.wordpress.com/2025/06/05/5/
Reposted by Martin Konečný
NEW STATEMENT | Europe on Gaza: Words Are Not Enough
A rising chorus of European states have condemned #Israel’s military campaign in the #Gaza Strip. While much depends on Washington, European leaders have levers at their disposal to press for the war’s end.
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
A rising chorus of European states have condemned #Israel’s military campaign in the #Gaza Strip. While much depends on Washington, European leaders have levers at their disposal to press for the war’s end.
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Europe on Gaza: Words Are Not Enough | International Crisis Group
A rising chorus of European states have condemned Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip after months of siege and bombardment. While much depends on Washington, European leaders have levers at ...
www.crisisgroup.org
June 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
NEW STATEMENT | Europe on Gaza: Words Are Not Enough
A rising chorus of European states have condemned #Israel’s military campaign in the #Gaza Strip. While much depends on Washington, European leaders have levers at their disposal to press for the war’s end.
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
A rising chorus of European states have condemned #Israel’s military campaign in the #Gaza Strip. While much depends on Washington, European leaders have levers at their disposal to press for the war’s end.
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Europe's dynamics on Gaza finally begin to shift, a human rights review of EU-Israel ties is under way. This is an opportunity to step out of Europe's self-imposed irrelevance and press Israel to reverse its devastating course. My piece @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The EU faces a moment of truth. Will it follow through on trade sanctions on Israel – or slide into irrelevance? | Martin Konečný
A human rights review of EU-Israel ties is under way. The results will be significant for both the war and Europe’s reputation, says Martin Konečný, head of the European Middle East Project
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Europe's dynamics on Gaza finally begin to shift, a human rights review of EU-Israel ties is under way. This is an opportunity to step out of Europe's self-imposed irrelevance and press Israel to reverse its devastating course. My piece @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Martin Konečný
Europe's pressure-free dialogue with #Israel has completely failed
To step out from self-imposed irrelevance and try to prevent ethnic cleansing and annexation, the #EU must impose real costs on Israel's crimes, suspend the bilateral deal
@martinkonecny.bsky.social: theguardian.com/commentisfre...
To step out from self-imposed irrelevance and try to prevent ethnic cleansing and annexation, the #EU must impose real costs on Israel's crimes, suspend the bilateral deal
@martinkonecny.bsky.social: theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The EU faces a moment of truth. Will it follow through on trade sanctions on Israel – or slide into irrelevance? | Martin Konečný
A human rights review of EU-Israel ties is under way. The results will be significant for both the war and Europe’s reputation, says Martin Konečný, head of the European Middle East Project
theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Europe's pressure-free dialogue with #Israel has completely failed
To step out from self-imposed irrelevance and try to prevent ethnic cleansing and annexation, the #EU must impose real costs on Israel's crimes, suspend the bilateral deal
@martinkonecny.bsky.social: theguardian.com/commentisfre...
To step out from self-imposed irrelevance and try to prevent ethnic cleansing and annexation, the #EU must impose real costs on Israel's crimes, suspend the bilateral deal
@martinkonecny.bsky.social: theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner – and that gives it leverage to finally change the course of this brutal war - superb piece by @nathalietocci.bsky.social related to the ongoing EU review www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Europe will never agree on Israel – but here’s a way it can act to help Gaza | Nathalie Tocci
The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner – and that gives it leverage to finally change the course of this brutal war, says Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci
www.theguardian.com
May 30, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner – and that gives it leverage to finally change the course of this brutal war - superb piece by @nathalietocci.bsky.social related to the ongoing EU review www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“It’s like standing in front of a burning building and asking for a review of whether there’s a fire” - @conoraon on EU’s review of Israel’s compliance with the human rights clause of the Association Agreement👌 www.newarab.com/analysis/eur...
Is Europe finally taking action over Israel’s genocide in Gaza?
After 18 months of complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza, the EU has voted to review its free trade agreement with Tel Aviv. Critics say it’s too little, too late
www.newarab.com
May 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
“It’s like standing in front of a burning building and asking for a review of whether there’s a fire” - @conoraon on EU’s review of Israel’s compliance with the human rights clause of the Association Agreement👌 www.newarab.com/analysis/eur...
Finally - after decades of toothless EU statements calling the settlements illegal and destructive for peace, a first member state says hey, maybe we shouldn’t be trading with them. Where are the others?
Ireland moves to ban trade with Israeli businesses in occupied Palestinian territories
https://www.ft.com/content/cb26479c-82b1-45c3-9dcb-076e4ea0022e
https://www.ft.com/content/cb26479c-82b1-45c3-9dcb-076e4ea0022e
Ireland moves to ban trade with Israeli businesses in occupied Palestinian territories
Bill to focus on goods as government says it cannot target services such as Airbnb rentals
www.ft.com
May 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Finally - after decades of toothless EU statements calling the settlements illegal and destructive for peace, a first member state says hey, maybe we shouldn’t be trading with them. Where are the others?
Reposted by Martin Konečný
On the preciousness of life: Some reflections on the murder of Jews in Washington and the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza peterbeinart.substack.com/p/on-the-pre...
On the Preciousness of Life
Making Sense of Yesterday’s Horrifying Murder in Washington, DC
peterbeinart.substack.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
On the preciousness of life: Some reflections on the murder of Jews in Washington and the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza peterbeinart.substack.com/p/on-the-pre...
Large coalition of governments rejects Israel's US-backed dystopian "aid" plan aimed at displacing and concentrating the Gaza population. Demands Israel to let aid in and allow UN & humanitarian orgs to do their work to deliver it to people across Gaza. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/...
Joint donor statement on humanitarian aid to Gaza
Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population…
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
May 19, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Large coalition of governments rejects Israel's US-backed dystopian "aid" plan aimed at displacing and concentrating the Gaza population. Demands Israel to let aid in and allow UN & humanitarian orgs to do their work to deliver it to people across Gaza. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/...
Leaders of UK, France, Canada: "We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Gov. pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response." www.gov.uk/government/n...
Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank
Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
www.gov.uk
May 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Leaders of UK, France, Canada: "We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Gov. pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response." www.gov.uk/government/n...
Only when the EU started discussing the possibility of suspending the Association Agreement does Israel begin to take notice.
Israeli cabinet discussion on whether to allow any aid into Gaza, according to Israeli broadcaster KAN (translation)👇 www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...
Israeli cabinet discussion on whether to allow any aid into Gaza, according to Israeli broadcaster KAN (translation)👇 www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...
May 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Only when the EU started discussing the possibility of suspending the Association Agreement does Israel begin to take notice.
Israeli cabinet discussion on whether to allow any aid into Gaza, according to Israeli broadcaster KAN (translation)👇 www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...
Israeli cabinet discussion on whether to allow any aid into Gaza, according to Israeli broadcaster KAN (translation)👇 www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...
Promoting illegal settlements under the guise of academic cooperation: Prague is hosting a “Czech-Israeli university conference” with multiple speakers from the settler Ariel University that‘s banned from EU academic & research programs Erasmus and Horizon
www.politikaspolecnost.cz/aktualne/cze...
www.politikaspolecnost.cz/aktualne/cze...
Czech – Israeli University Conference - Institut pro politiku a společnost
This year’s edition, titled „Cooperation in Education, Science, and Technology Transfer,“ will focus on strengthening academic and industry partnerships between the two nations. It will be held under ...
www.politikaspolecnost.cz
May 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Promoting illegal settlements under the guise of academic cooperation: Prague is hosting a “Czech-Israeli university conference” with multiple speakers from the settler Ariel University that‘s banned from EU academic & research programs Erasmus and Horizon
www.politikaspolecnost.cz/aktualne/cze...
www.politikaspolecnost.cz/aktualne/cze...
Le Monde on shifts in the French Jewish community on Gaza
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Guerre à Gaza : des personnalités de la communauté juive française prennent position pour dénoncer la situation
Bravant ce qu’elle décrit comme une « injonction au silence », et par « amour d’Israël », la rabbine Delphine Horvilleur a dénoncé, dans une tribune publiée jeudi 8 mai, la « déroute politique » de l’...
www.lemonde.fr
May 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Le Monde on shifts in the French Jewish community on Gaza
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Israeli human rights NGOs checked point by point how Israel responded to EU calls made at recent EU-Israel Association Council. They found "consistent and deliberate disregard" by Israel for EU positions. Highly relevant for current EU debate on Association Agreement.
gisha.org/UserFiles/Fi...
gisha.org/UserFiles/Fi...
gisha.org
May 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Israeli human rights NGOs checked point by point how Israel responded to EU calls made at recent EU-Israel Association Council. They found "consistent and deliberate disregard" by Israel for EU positions. Highly relevant for current EU debate on Association Agreement.
gisha.org/UserFiles/Fi...
gisha.org/UserFiles/Fi...
This decision is a "mega-land grab" and a move towards "full-scale annexation". Peace Now on Israel's decision to resume, for the first time since 1967, land registration in the West Bank, a bureaucratic camouflage for massive theft of Palestinian land. peacenow.org.il/en/cabinet-d...
The Cabinet Decides to Initiate Land Registration Process that would Dispossess Palestinians from their Lands the West Bank - Peace Now
On Sunday, 11/5/25, the Security Cabinet decided to initiate land registration process (also referred to as “land settlement process”) in Area C in the West Bank. The process of land registration dete...
peacenow.org.il
May 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
This decision is a "mega-land grab" and a move towards "full-scale annexation". Peace Now on Israel's decision to resume, for the first time since 1967, land registration in the West Bank, a bureaucratic camouflage for massive theft of Palestinian land. peacenow.org.il/en/cabinet-d...
🇵🇹Portugal backs the Dutch initiative to review the EU-Israel association agreement:
“Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that Portugal supports the Netherlands' proposal to review the association agreement between Israel and the EU.” www.tsf.pt/3393729451/s...
“Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that Portugal supports the Netherlands' proposal to review the association agreement between Israel and the EU.” www.tsf.pt/3393729451/s...
"Situação dramática" em Gaza. Portugal "apoia" revisão do acordo de associação entre Israel e a UE
Em declarações à TSF, Paulo Rangel mostra-se "verdadeiramente preocupado", uma vez que "já não existe ajuda humanitária relevante desde que deixou de valer o acordo de cessar-fogo"
www.tsf.pt
May 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
🇵🇹Portugal backs the Dutch initiative to review the EU-Israel association agreement:
“Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that Portugal supports the Netherlands' proposal to review the association agreement between Israel and the EU.” www.tsf.pt/3393729451/s...
“Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that Portugal supports the Netherlands' proposal to review the association agreement between Israel and the EU.” www.tsf.pt/3393729451/s...