The European Union, in a statement delivered on 15 June 2026 at the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, rejected any demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and condemned both settler violence and terrorist attacks against Israel. The statement was presented during an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel.
The EU took note of the COI report on killings and harm caused by non-state actors, including violent settlers, Hamas, and other Palestinian armed groups. It reiterated the need for Israel and all other countries to cooperate with HRC mechanisms and mandate holders. The EU stressed that all sides are bound by international humanitarian law and human rights law, and that Israel, as an occupying power, has the obligation to protect the population under occupation.
The statement called for full implementation of the ceasefire and all provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, including permanent disarmament of Hamas and other non-state armed groups, and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The EU reiterated its condemnation of Hamas in the strongest terms and urged the immediate removal of all restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Gaza. It also recalled the need to fully implement International Court of Justice orders, which are legally binding.
The EU strongly condemned increased settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel's unilateral actions to expand its presence there, which the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 declared unlawful. It called on Israel to reverse the E1 settlement plan. The EU also expressed deep concern over the adoption of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament, urging Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and democratic principles as reflected in the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The EU called on Israel to reverse its decision regarding the NGO registration law, underlining the vital role of civil society. It reaffirmed unwavering support for the International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute. The EU remains committed to a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Stakeholder impact The statement carries significant implications for several stakeholders. For the Palestinian Authority, the EU's support for unifying Gaza with the West Bank under its leadership and opposition to forced displacement bolsters its political position. For Israel, the EU's condemnation of settlement expansion and the death penalty bill, as well as calls to reverse the NGO law, signal continued diplomatic pressure. For Hamas and other armed groups, the demand for permanent disarmament and the EU's strong condemnation reinforce their isolation. For humanitarian actors and civil society, the EU's emphasis on protecting aid workers and journalists and defending NGO freedoms provides political backing, though the statement's impact depends on follow-up actions by EU member states.
← Atlas › News › Foreign affairs