The European Union, while serving as the largest provider of aid to Palestinians, simultaneously functions as Israel’s top trading partner and a major buyer of Israeli weapons, a relationship that has consistently protected accumulated wealth and shielded Israeli actions from international accountability. This structural contradiction emerged clearly during a Brussels conference on Monday, April 20, 2026, where Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa met with EU representatives to discuss stability and peace in Gaza and the West Bank, even as EU efforts to sanction violent Israeli settlers remained blocked.
The EU, a 27-nation bloc, has largely remained on the sidelines in Middle East diplomacy despite its substantial aid contributions and its stated backing for a two-state solution. A majority of EU member countries now recognize an independent Palestinian state, yet the bloc's economic ties to Israel persist as a primary driver of its foreign policy.
The State's Enforcement of Capital
For three years, European moves to condemn or sanction some Israeli actions were systematically vetoed by Hungary’s Victor Orban, effectively allowing the continued protection of Israeli interests within the EU framework. This obstruction prevented the bloc from taking decisive action, even as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that 26 of the 27 countries desired sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. The incoming Hungarian leader, Péter Magyar, has indicated a potential shift from Orban’s policy of vetoing actions on Israel, but has also stated he would seek “pragmatic relations” with Israel.
Orban’s government had previously defied an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Gaza, hosting Netanyahu in 2025 and subsequently initiating Hungary’s withdrawal from the world’s only court for war crimes and genocide. This demonstrates the state's capacity to undermine international legal norms when they conflict with established political and economic alliances.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is pushing for the EU to suspend its long-standing Association Agreement with Israel, which has been in force for 26 years and sets the legal and institutional framework for trade and cooperation. However, such a suspension appears unlikely, as countries like Austria and Germany tend to back Israel, prioritizing the continuity of capital flows over accountability. The EU itself has found indications that Israel violated this agreement during its military campaign in Gaza.
Limits of Liberal Reform
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot noted that ongoing attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and continued devastation in Gaza have diminished the prospect for a two-state solution, a cornerstone of liberal diplomatic efforts. He stated that the solution is “being made more difficult by the day,” yet maintained that it “remains the only realistic path to a lasting peace.” This highlights the inherent limitations of reformist proposals that fail to address the underlying structural conditions of occupation and economic exploitation.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa articulated a vision for Gaza requiring “one state, one government, one law and one goal,” emphasizing that “security must not be fragmented.” He called for “the gradual and responsible collection of arms from all armed groups and also the full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza,” a demand that directly challenges the fragmented control and ongoing military presence that serve to maintain the current distribution of power. The disarmament of Hamas is identified as a major challenge in next steps for the ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect about 6 months ago.
In the West Bank, Palestinians report that Israel has used the cover of the Iran war to tighten its grip over the territory. This has led to a surge in settler attacks and the imposition of additional wartime restrictions on movement by the military, citing security concerns. These actions further entrench the dispossession of Palestinians and demonstrate the state's role in enforcing territorial control for the benefit of accumulated wealth and power.
The EU has avoided direct participation in the Board of Peace created by the Trump administration, preferring the multilateralism of the United Nations and global legal norms. During the Brussels meeting, Mustafa met Nikolay Mladenov, the Trump-appointed director of the Board of Peace, and pressed him on ongoing Israeli military action in Gaza, increasing humanitarian assistance, and security in the coastal enclave, indicating a continued search for solutions within existing international frameworks.