Having an operating Delegation since 1981, EU-Israel Relations, which are based on shared values,  have been reinforced in 2000 after the entry into force of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The framework sets provisions on regular political dialogue, freedom of establishment and liberalisation of services, the free movement of capital and competition rules and the strengthening of economic and social cooperation.

In light of the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attack by Hamas across Israel on 7 October 2023, the EU condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the Hamas group and reiterates its support for Israel in its right to defend itself, in line with international law. Through the sanctions measures against Hamas and its supporters approved in January and April 2024, the EU showed decisiveness against the brutalities committed on October 7. Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace. The EU is working with its partners with absolute urgency to contribute towards ending the fighting, freeing the remaining hostages and improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, reiterating the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians, at all times. The EU is committed to engage against extremist settlers’ violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. From April 2024, the Human Rights Sanctions Regime also applies to specific individuals and entities that are responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The EU has a long-standing commitment to the vision of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine. The EU and the Palestinian Authority (PA) enjoy a strong partnership guided by the principles of mutual accountability, transparency and democracy toward the establishment of a future democratic Palestinian state. The EU is ready to increase it commitment to help the PA to reform so as to overcome ongoing accountability and governance issues.

The EU’s multi-annual financial allocation for Palestine under the European Joint Strategy 2021-2024 amounts to €1.177 billion. A large part of the European Union's assistance to the PA is channelled through the PEGASE financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the Palestinian Authority Reform and Development Plan and subsequent Palestinian national plans. It contributes to the payment of PA civil servants' salaries, pensions and social allowances for the poorest and most vulnerable Palestinian families. PEGASE also supports major reform and development programmes in key ministries to help prepare for statehood. 

In light of the dramatic increase of violence and insecurity in Gaza and the West Bank, in November 2023 the Commission decided to review the EU assistance to Palestine. The approved financial assistance to Palestine through PEGASE for 2023 amounts to EUR 118.4 million.

The EU is the most important donor for the Palestinian people and a reliable and predictable partner. It is present at all levels of Palestinian life, from supporting the establishment of the future Palestinian State and building new infrastructure across Palestine to supporting Palestinian civil society. From 2007, the EU has disbursed more than EUR 12.65 billion aid to the occupied Palestinian Terriories.

The EU has provided humanitarian aid to help meet Palestinians’ basic needs since 2000. It channels support through ECHO, the European Commission’s humanitarian aid department, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). On the ground, they work with many international partners like United Nations agencies, Red Crescent movement and international non-governmental organisations. The EU is a major donor to UNRWA, The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. As of 2022, it had provided than EUR 700 million of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Since October 2023, the EU has increased considerably its humanitarian assistance to Gaza.  The EU will continue supporting civilians most in need in Gaza, and has already earmarked an initial 125 million euros for humanitarian aid in 2024. Additionally, EUR 150 to support the Palestinian population are set to be implemented through international partners on the ground.

As the  humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached unprecedented levels, the EU is engaging in its diplomatic effort to establish a full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip. The EU calls for an immediate humanitarian pause in the fighting, leading to a sustainable ceasefire.