Germany and Italy blocked a bid to suspend a key European Union trade pact with Israel on Tuesday, as European Union foreign ministers met to discuss the bloc’s relationship with Israel.Three member nations – Spain, Slovenia and Ireland – had requested that the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel be reconsidered because of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listWhile it has been blocked this week, the move is a reflection of growing unease across the continent over Israel’s conduct in the occupied Palestinian territories in recent years, as well as mounting calls for action from rights groups over Israel’s growing list of human rights abuses.In Luxembourg on Tuesday, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters. “I expect every European country to uphold what the International Court of Justice and the UN say on human rights and the defence of international law,” he said. “Anything different would be a defeat for the European Union.”The bloc remains divided on its ties to Israel, however. Countries such as Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic, in particular, are reluctant to take any drastic steps, meaning any move towards full suspension of the agreement is unlikely in the near future.German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called Spain’s request “inappropriate”, saying any issues had to be discussed in a “critical, constructive dialogue with Israel”.So, what is the EU-Israe …
