EU accused of ‘cruel and unlawful betrayal’ of Palestinians over failure to confront Israel

Stinging rebuke from Amnesty International follows EU ministers declining to endorse any sanctions over Gaza war

Mourners pray carry the bodies of Palestinians who were killed by an Israeli airstrike, during their funeral at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The EU has been accused of a “cruel and unlawful betrayal” of Palestinians and European values after failing to take action to impose sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza.

The stinging rebuke from Amnesty International, echoed by other human rights organisations, came after EU ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday declined to endorse any measures to sanction Israel over the brutal war in Gaza and endemic violence in the West Bank.