Europe

Hungary has repeatedly used its EU veto to block sanctions on Israel; if opposition leader Péter Magyar wins and aligns with Brussels to unlock billions in funding, Jerusalem could lose its last line of defense in the bloc

How significant would a Magyar victory be for Israel? Officials familiar with the matter say a Hungary led by Magyar would not resemble Spain or Ireland, which have taken some of the most hardline positions against Israel in the European Union. Magyar is a center-right candidate. The concern for Israel lies in his campaign promise to secure $15 billion in EU funding for Hungary.

To do so, he would need to align with Brussels. This would likely mean the end of Hungary’s veto on decisions targeting Israel. As a result, Jerusalem could lose its last line of defense in the EU against sanctions, which require unanimity among all 27 member states. Hungary’s vote has repeatedly blocked such initiatives, and that protection could now disappear.

According to the European Commission, the State of Israel is responsible for an unprecedented level of killing and injury of civilians, a large-scale displacement of population and the systematic destruction of hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza. [1] Israel also implemented a blockade of humanitarian aid that could amount to starvation as a method of war. Israel is in breach of multiple rules and obligations under international law and fails to prevent the crime of genocide as ordered by the International Court of Justice.[2]

Yet the European Union has still not suspended its association agreement with Israel, which is the cornerstone of EU-Israel bilateral trade, economic, and political cooperation.

EU citizens cannot tolerate that the EU maintains an agreement that contributes to legitimize and finance a State that commits crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Therefore, we call on the Commission to put forward the proposal to the Council for the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

[1] European External Action Service, note of the Office of the EU Special Representative on Human Rights, 20 June 2025 https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar0246a0da

[2] International Court of Justice, Order of 26 January 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/node/203447

Annex In 1995, the EU has concluded an Association agreement with the State of Israel, aiming at facilitating and increasing trade, providing a framework for bilateral political dialogue, and fostering scientific, technologic and cultural cooperation.

With more than 34% of Israel's imports originating from the EU, and 28.8% of Israeli exports flowing to the EU, the EU is Israel’s first trade partner. Total trade in goods between the EU and Israel in 2024 amounted to €42.6 billion.[3]

In 2021, Israel joined Horizon Europe, the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation.1.11 billion euros from the EU’s Horizon Europe fund goes to Israeli companies, universities and public bodies. Among the 921 projects with 231 Israeli recipients are companies that are closely involved with the Israeli military.[4]

Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement provides that “Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement”

A breach of Article 2 gives the right to the other Party to unilaterally suspend the Agreement. Several international institutions have given evidence that Israel is in breach of Article 2 :

The European External Action Service (EEAS) report, [5] communicated to the Council on 20 June 2025 gives a detailed account of the rules and obligations of international law breached by the State of Israel in the Gaza Strip and in the West bank; particularly with regard to the blockade of humanitarian aid, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, the systematic targeting of hospitals and medical facilities, and forced displacement of populations.

In its Order of 26 January 2024,[6] the International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders the State of Israel to do all in its power to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

ICJ Order of 28 March2024 [7] orders the State of Israel to “Take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full co-operation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care to Palestinians throughout Gaza [...].

By the ICJ Order of May 2024 [8] “The Court considers that, in conformity with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, Israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”.

ICJ Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 provides that Israel must “ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services” and “facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory so long as that population is inadequately supplied, as has been the case in the Gaza Strip”.[9]

Despite the evidence of multiple violations of human rights and international law brought up by the abovementioned institutions, the European Union has still to this date not taken any meaningful action to condemn or to sanction the State of Israel, like, for instance, the suspension of its association agreement with Israel.

Such failure to act is not in line with the EU Treaties themselves : it is clear from the Treaties that all actions and policies of the EU, including international agreements, must contribute to and ensure respect of human rights and international law.

According to Article 3 (5) of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU), “In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values” [...] and “shall contribute to peace, security, the sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples [....] and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

In addition, article 21 TEU states that “The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.”

Article 205 TFEU states that “The Union's action on the international scene, pursuant to this Part, shall be guided by the principles, pursue the objectives and be conducted in accordance with” the provisions laid down in article 21 TEU mentioned above.

Lastly, article 207 TFEU provides that “The common commercial policy shall be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action”

The EU’s obligation to act does not stem only from its founding treaties but also from UN treaties and customary international law and the International Court of Justice Orders.

The EU must immediately utilise all available legal, diplomatic and economic means - among which the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement - to force the Israeli government to cease its human rights violations, uphold international law and to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.

[3] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/israel_en

[4] https://www.ftm.eu/newsletters/bureau-brussels-eu-funds-israel-defense-sector

[5] European External Action Service, note of the Office of the EU Special Representative on Human Rights, 20 June 2025 https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar0246a0da

[6] International Court of Justice, Order of 26 January 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/node/203447

[7] International Court of Justice, Order of 28 March 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/node/203847

[8] International Court of Justice, Summary of the Order of 24 may 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204100#%3A%7E%3Atext=The+Court+considers+that%2C+in%2Cits+physical+destr uction%20in%20whole

[9] ICJ Advisory Opinion– Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 22 October 2025 https://www.un.org/unispal/document/icj-advisory-opinion-22oct2025/

The number of garage forecourts without fuel in Ireland could rise to 500 by Friday night if blockades continue, according to the CEO of Fuels for Ireland.

Kevin McPartlan said more than 100 garages are currently without fuel but said the number will rise if the situation is not resolved.

Travel across parts of the Republic of Ireland has been affected for the fourth day in a row as slow-moving convoys made up of vehicles, including tractors, have been blocking roads in protest against high fuel prices caused by the US and Israeli war against Iran.

The Irish government said they are close to finalising a support package after a meeting between officials and representative bodies on Friday.

https://removepaywalls.com/https://www.ft.com/content/801e46c7-cfb7-43c3-99bd-6a5ca971ceff

The Republic of Moldova has declared its readiness to help European countries holding elections counter disinformation and destabilization campaigns attributed to the Kremlin.

Archived version

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, stated that the country’s accession to the European Union is not only a security guarantee for Chisinau, but also an advantage for the entire European bloc.

“Moldova’s accession is often described as a security guarantee for our country. And it truly is. But it is equally a strategic investment in Europe’s own security,” she said.

In turn, national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru emphasized that Moldova brings direct experience in countering hybrid threats.

“We come with something unique. We have hard-earned knowledge and solutions tested directly on the ground to deal with Russian hybrid threats,” he stated.

...

According to authorities, Moldova has also dismantled a cross-border network that allegedly trained young people in camps in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia for destabilization actions in European countries. Participants reportedly trained to operate drones, use incendiary devices, and evade law enforcement during protests.

Officials say Moldova has already shared its experience with EU member states preparing for elections, including Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. French authorities have already warned about potential Russian interference.

President Maia Sandu continues to promote Moldova’s EU accession, stressing that integration is essential for regional security.

...

During a recent visit to Ireland, Sandu emphasized that ‘Russia is a threat to everyone’.

“Russia has also learned that it’s easier to impose its will through hybrid wars than through boots on the ground,” she said.

Sandu ... said this has been seen in Moldova in terms of Russian efforts to interfere in elections which she said have been “brutal”.

...

A small, landlocked country, Moldova sits between Romania and Ukraine. Sandu outlined how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw more than a million refugees cross into Moldova and that “for a population of 2.4 million this was quite a challenge”. Some 130,000 Ukrainians are still living there.

The war sparked an energy crisis for Moldova – which has since eliminated its dependency on Russian gas – and the economy has been “significantly affected”.

Sandu said Moldova’s airspace had been “violated constantly” and Russian Shahed drones had landed in people’s yards and on their roofs. A recent attack on a hydropower plant in Ukraine left 300,000 people in her country without safe drinking water.

...

[Edit to add the original link.]

https://archive.ph/2026.04.08-083550/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-08/greece-to-impose-social-media-ban-for-children-under-15

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/8226027

As Canada lowers its tariffs and imports more electric vehicles from China, an upcoming report from New York-based labour rights researchers is making new allegations of forced labour practices at the world's bestselling EV manufacturer, BYD.

China Labor Watch (CLW) received a complaint last fall from one of the thousands of migrant workers brought to Hungary from China to help build BYD's first European plant in the city of Szeged — a $6-billion investment intended to supply the European market with around 300,000 vehicles per year.

The non-profit organization launched an investigation and provided CBC News with an advance copy of its findings, set for publication later this month.

"It's important that consumers know what's really behind some of these electric vehicles, and the labour conditions that are behind the production of these cars," said project officer Elaine Lu.

"Chinese workers who are being brought in to work on these sites are being employed in quite horrible conditions."

...

The report describes potential violations of Hungarian labour and migration laws, including:

• Seven-day workweeks with no days off to rest, with workers telling CLW they were instructed to lie to inspectors about their working hours if asked.
• Shifts of up to 12 or 14 hours, with only a short meal break and no paid overtime.
• Delayed wage payments of up to three months, with final payments withheld until workers returned to China.
• Steep recruitment fees used as a form of debt bondage, with low-income workers saying they were forced to stay despite poor conditions because they can't afford to default on their contract.
• Workers entering on business visas instead of authorized work permits, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and unable to access services like health care for workplace injuries.

...

The Banque de France (BdF) announced last week that it generated a capital gain of €12.8 billion after upgrading 129 tonnes of gold – about 5 percent of France's total reserves – between July 2025 and January 2026.

The gold was the last of the French reserves held in New York. It was replaced with the equivalent amount bought in Europe and held in Paris.

The BdF has been gradually replacing older, non‑standard gold with bars that meet modern international standards since 2005. It moved the majority of its gold reserves out of the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England between 1963 and 1966.

Rather than refining and transporting the gold that remained in the US, the bank opted to sell it and purchase new, compliant bullion on the European market.

Spain's Social Security enrolment hit an all-time high in March, boosted by Easter Week, after more than 211,000 jobs were added and unemployment edged lower.

The European Commission has proposed a €115 million pilot fund to fast-track defence technology from European start-ups, cutting the time from application to grant to just four months. Watch the video.

Germany is building the world’s largest frigate, the F126, designed as a flexible, multi-purpose platform with a modular system for various missions. However, the project is significantly behind schedule due to technical and organisational issues, particularly with data transfer between systems. While the German government considers the Meko A-200 (F128) as a quicker alternative, the F126 project is expected to continue, with a potential launch in 2031.

Sea-Watch rescued 44 migrants from an abandoned oil rig in the Mediterranean. The migrants had taken refuge on the rig to escape a storm.

https://archive.ph/JxP3R

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially withdrawn from the French Rafale F5 jet program, leaving France to shoulder the massive €5 billion development cost alone. This sudden exit threatens to delay the production of the next-generation fighter, which serves as a cornerstone for future European aerial defense.