Response to the petition on “Reevaluating EU's Gas Import Strategy in Light of ICJ Ruling on Gaza"

Dear petitioner,



Thank you for your message to the High Representative / Vice-President Josep Borrell. I have been asked to reply on his behalf.



As stated in the joint statement by the High Representative and the Commission on 26 January 2024, orders of the International Court of Justice are binding on the Parties and they must comply with them. The EU expects their full, immediate and effective implementation.(1)



The EU Statement of 23 January 2024, issued at the UN Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (2), urged all sides to respect international law, and noted that there must be accountability for violations of international law. The protection of all civilians and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured by all parties, at all times in all conflicts. Full respect of international law including international humanitarian law by all sides is of paramount importance.

The EU continues to pass these messages in its statements as well as bilaterally in its contacts with the Israeli authorities. The EU has been consistently clear that political engagement and frank and open dialogue are the most effective ways to convey the EU concerns, including to our Israeli partners. The EU is not planning to suspend its cooperation, including in the energy sector, with Israel.

Yours sincerely,

(1). ICJ: Joint Statement by the High Representative and the European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_24_465

(2). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-statement-%E2%80%93-un-security-council-situation-middle-east-including-palestinian-question-0_en