Amnesty International has called on European Union countries to impose an arms embargo on Israel and halt investments or trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.

The appeal was made in a letter addressed to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and published by the German News Agency (dpa) on Wednesday.

The organization’s call for policy change comes ahead of a scheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Amnesty International argues that EU countries, by supplying weapons, technology, and equipment to Israel, are complicit in supporting Israel’s illegal occupation and settlement policies.

The International Court of Justice had ruled in July that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its settlement activities are in violation of international law. Although the court's opinion is not legally binding, it underscores the responsibility of EU countries to refrain from endorsing or perpetuating the status quo created by Israel.

Amnesty International has also urged the European Commission to reassess the EU-Israel partnership agreement in light of human rights obligations. (ILKHA)