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
Here in more detail. Heaping praise vs. warnings and alarm.
politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu/article/euro...
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Here in more detail. Heaping praise vs. warnings and alarm.
politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu/article/euro...
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
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
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.
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:
"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/
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-...
This is a much needed move by the Netherlands and the way to go for the EU to apply meaningful pressure on Israel over Gaza. The EU-Israel Association Agreement is the main leverage the EU has. Other EU states must support this to prevent further Gaza catastrophe. @ministerbz.bsky.social
May 7, 2025 at 6:50 AM
This is a much needed move by the Netherlands and the way to go for the EU to apply meaningful pressure on Israel over Gaza. The EU-Israel Association Agreement is the main leverage the EU has. Other EU states must support this to prevent further Gaza catastrophe. @ministerbz.bsky.social
Russia following Israeli playbook to justify the Sumy massacre. The difference is that Western governments and media are largely immune to this propaganda in this case. www.politico.eu/article/russ...
April 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Russia following Israeli playbook to justify the Sumy massacre. The difference is that Western governments and media are largely immune to this propaganda in this case. www.politico.eu/article/russ...
2023: @kajakallas.bsky.social dismayed by Orban’s handshake with Putin after ICC arrest warrant: “How can you shake a criminal's hand?”
2025: Kallas too dismayed by Orban’s handshake with Netanyahu to say a word.
2025: Kallas too dismayed by Orban’s handshake with Netanyahu to say a word.
April 3, 2025 at 8:57 PM
2023: @kajakallas.bsky.social dismayed by Orban’s handshake with Putin after ICC arrest warrant: “How can you shake a criminal's hand?”
2025: Kallas too dismayed by Orban’s handshake with Netanyahu to say a word.
2025: Kallas too dismayed by Orban’s handshake with Netanyahu to say a word.
Orban is setting up Budapest as The Anti-Hague, seat of the International Criminal Club (ICC)
April 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Orban is setting up Budapest as The Anti-Hague, seat of the International Criminal Club (ICC)
EU Parliament today adopted 2 interesting amendments tabled by the centre-right EPP, calling to:
1) Activate EU Blocking Statute to protect the ICC from US sanctions
2) Monitor & assess Israel's compliance with Article 2 (human rights clause) of EU-Israel Association Agreement
1) Activate EU Blocking Statute to protect the ICC from US sanctions
2) Monitor & assess Israel's compliance with Article 2 (human rights clause) of EU-Israel Association Agreement
April 2, 2025 at 10:18 PM
EU Parliament today adopted 2 interesting amendments tabled by the centre-right EPP, calling to:
1) Activate EU Blocking Statute to protect the ICC from US sanctions
2) Monitor & assess Israel's compliance with Article 2 (human rights clause) of EU-Israel Association Agreement
1) Activate EU Blocking Statute to protect the ICC from US sanctions
2) Monitor & assess Israel's compliance with Article 2 (human rights clause) of EU-Israel Association Agreement
Note that even Germany's FM Baerbock spoke clearly about "the end of the ceasefire in Gaza as a result of severe Israeli attacks".👇
But that reality didn't fit into pre-conceptions of certain EU member states who insist on "both-sidesing" the narrative. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/...
But that reality didn't fit into pre-conceptions of certain EU member states who insist on "both-sidesing" the narrative. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/...
March 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Note that even Germany's FM Baerbock spoke clearly about "the end of the ceasefire in Gaza as a result of severe Israeli attacks".👇
But that reality didn't fit into pre-conceptions of certain EU member states who insist on "both-sidesing" the narrative. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/...
But that reality didn't fit into pre-conceptions of certain EU member states who insist on "both-sidesing" the narrative. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/...
EU fudging the reality of Israel's unilateral breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire.
Claiming Hamas' "refusal to hand over remaining hostages" plays straight into the lie pushed by Israeli govt to justify its renewed assault. Israel not even mentioned by name.🧵 euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Claiming Hamas' "refusal to hand over remaining hostages" plays straight into the lie pushed by Israeli govt to justify its renewed assault. Israel not even mentioned by name.🧵 euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
March 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
EU fudging the reality of Israel's unilateral breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire.
Claiming Hamas' "refusal to hand over remaining hostages" plays straight into the lie pushed by Israeli govt to justify its renewed assault. Israel not even mentioned by name.🧵 euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Claiming Hamas' "refusal to hand over remaining hostages" plays straight into the lie pushed by Israeli govt to justify its renewed assault. Israel not even mentioned by name.🧵 euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Germany and other governments have helped turn the fight against antisemitism into quashing criticism of Israel, using the ill-advised IHRA definition. This enabled a hostile takeover of that fight by the growing far right. Now it blows up in their face. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
March 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Germany and other governments have helped turn the fight against antisemitism into quashing criticism of Israel, using the ill-advised IHRA definition. This enabled a hostile takeover of that fight by the growing far right. Now it blows up in their face. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Dutch parliament this week adopted two groundbreaking motions demanding that the government advocates for:
1) sanctions against “people building illegal settlements in the West Bank”
2) EU review of Israel’s compliance with human rights clause of EU-Israel Association Agreement
1) sanctions against “people building illegal settlements in the West Bank”
2) EU review of Israel’s compliance with human rights clause of EU-Israel Association Agreement
March 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Dutch parliament this week adopted two groundbreaking motions demanding that the government advocates for:
1) sanctions against “people building illegal settlements in the West Bank”
2) EU review of Israel’s compliance with human rights clause of EU-Israel Association Agreement
1) sanctions against “people building illegal settlements in the West Bank”
2) EU review of Israel’s compliance with human rights clause of EU-Israel Association Agreement
We've pulled out main points from EU's statement at the EU-Israel Association Council today👇
Long list of ~30 pressing EU concerns and appeals in the left column. But business as usual on bilateral relations in the right column.
Here's what the EU could do next.🧵
Long list of ~30 pressing EU concerns and appeals in the left column. But business as usual on bilateral relations in the right column.
Here's what the EU could do next.🧵
February 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
We've pulled out main points from EU's statement at the EU-Israel Association Council today👇
Long list of ~30 pressing EU concerns and appeals in the left column. But business as usual on bilateral relations in the right column.
Here's what the EU could do next.🧵
Long list of ~30 pressing EU concerns and appeals in the left column. But business as usual on bilateral relations in the right column.
Here's what the EU could do next.🧵
One year ago, following the ICJ order warning of a risk of genocide in Gaza, Spain and Ireland wrote to @vonderleyen to act on the human rights clause in the EU-Israel agreement and propose appropriate measures. To this day she hasn't responded. www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/pres...
February 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
One year ago, following the ICJ order warning of a risk of genocide in Gaza, Spain and Ireland wrote to @vonderleyen to act on the human rights clause in the EU-Israel agreement and propose appropriate measures. To this day she hasn't responded. www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/pres...
Violation of Art. 2 provides basis for EU to take "appropriate measures" - code word for suspending parts or all of the agreement.
This isn't theory. Since 90s, EU has used human rights clauses to impose such measures in at least 25 cases around the world, mainly Africa.
This isn't theory. Since 90s, EU has used human rights clauses to impose such measures in at least 25 cases around the world, mainly Africa.
February 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Violation of Art. 2 provides basis for EU to take "appropriate measures" - code word for suspending parts or all of the agreement.
This isn't theory. Since 90s, EU has used human rights clauses to impose such measures in at least 25 cases around the world, mainly Africa.
This isn't theory. Since 90s, EU has used human rights clauses to impose such measures in at least 25 cases around the world, mainly Africa.
Art. 2 is the human rights clause, similar as in most EU agreements with third countries. It says the Agreement is based on "respect for human rights & democratic principles" which is an "essential element" of it. Moreover, preamble says UN Charter principles form "the very basis" of it.
February 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Art. 2 is the human rights clause, similar as in most EU agreements with third countries. It says the Agreement is based on "respect for human rights & democratic principles" which is an "essential element" of it. Moreover, preamble says UN Charter principles form "the very basis" of it.
It's not difficult to make a statement like this one by UNSG Guterres, showing both Israeli and Palestinian lives matter.
But the EU - and vast majority of Western states - absolutely cannot bring themselves to state the parts marked in yellow.
But the EU - and vast majority of Western states - absolutely cannot bring themselves to state the parts marked in yellow.
February 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
It's not difficult to make a statement like this one by UNSG Guterres, showing both Israeli and Palestinian lives matter.
But the EU - and vast majority of Western states - absolutely cannot bring themselves to state the parts marked in yellow.
But the EU - and vast majority of Western states - absolutely cannot bring themselves to state the parts marked in yellow.
❗️Dutch parliament today adopted a motion to protect the ICC in response to threat of US sanctions.
Motion asks Dutch gov't as host of the Court to "take concrete measures at national level" and "support measures at EU level, incl. via the Blocking Statute" to minimise the sanctions' impact.
Motion asks Dutch gov't as host of the Court to "take concrete measures at national level" and "support measures at EU level, incl. via the Blocking Statute" to minimise the sanctions' impact.
January 23, 2025 at 5:55 PM
❗️Dutch parliament today adopted a motion to protect the ICC in response to threat of US sanctions.
Motion asks Dutch gov't as host of the Court to "take concrete measures at national level" and "support measures at EU level, incl. via the Blocking Statute" to minimise the sanctions' impact.
Motion asks Dutch gov't as host of the Court to "take concrete measures at national level" and "support measures at EU level, incl. via the Blocking Statute" to minimise the sanctions' impact.
❗️Poland’s Supreme Bar Council – the self-governing body of Polish lawyers – issued a resolution strongly criticising the government’s announcement of immunity for Netanyahu from the ICC arrest warrant if he attends a Holocaust commemoration event. Notable quotes below👇
January 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
❗️Poland’s Supreme Bar Council – the self-governing body of Polish lawyers – issued a resolution strongly criticising the government’s announcement of immunity for Netanyahu from the ICC arrest warrant if he attends a Holocaust commemoration event. Notable quotes below👇
3) When Mongolia hosted Putin a few months ago despite the ICC arrest warrant, Poland complained and said this undermines the international criminal justice system.👇 Today's decision makes a joke of Polish foreign policy and will encourage more Mongolias.
January 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
3) When Mongolia hosted Putin a few months ago despite the ICC arrest warrant, Poland complained and said this undermines the international criminal justice system.👇 Today's decision makes a joke of Polish foreign policy and will encourage more Mongolias.
2) Just last month, Poland stated at the ICC assembly that it is "essential" that states comply with ICC arrest warrants and that int'l criminal justice "requires cooperation even against one’s political interests or preferred political choices". asp.icc-cpi.int/sites/defaul...
January 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
2) Just last month, Poland stated at the ICC assembly that it is "essential" that states comply with ICC arrest warrants and that int'l criminal justice "requires cooperation even against one’s political interests or preferred political choices". asp.icc-cpi.int/sites/defaul...
EU statement on Syria agreed by all 27 states.
EU is right to urge protection of all minorities but singling out Christians - as if more important than others - is exactly the sort of sectarian thinking that should be avoided.
Hope the Syrian people will be wiser.
EU is right to urge protection of all minorities but singling out Christians - as if more important than others - is exactly the sort of sectarian thinking that should be avoided.
Hope the Syrian people will be wiser.
December 9, 2024 at 6:09 PM
EU statement on Syria agreed by all 27 states.
EU is right to urge protection of all minorities but singling out Christians - as if more important than others - is exactly the sort of sectarian thinking that should be avoided.
Hope the Syrian people will be wiser.
EU is right to urge protection of all minorities but singling out Christians - as if more important than others - is exactly the sort of sectarian thinking that should be avoided.
Hope the Syrian people will be wiser.