The EU has ordered a review of its cooperation deal with Israel after Britain halted trade talks with it as European nations took a tougher line over the Gaza genocide.
France renewed its commitment to recognise a Palestinian state, a day after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily hit back at Britain, France and Canada for threatening action over his country's military offensive and blockade of Gaza.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday, "a strong majority" of the 27 member states at a foreign ministers' meeting backed the move in a bid to pressure Israel.
"Countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable, and what we want is to really help the people, and... to unblock the humanitarian aid so that it will reach the people," Kallas told journalists.
Momentum to re-examine the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which forms the basis for trade ties, has grown since Israel resumed its carnage in Gaza after a ceasefire expired.
Diplomats said 17 EU states pressed for the review under an article of the agreement that calls for respect for human rights, with the Netherlands spearheading the latest push.
Divided EU acts
The EU has long been divided between countries backing Israel and those considered more pro-Palestinian.
In a sign of the splits, in a separate move, Hungary blocked the imposition of more sanctions on Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Belgium's Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, said he had "no doubt" about the violation of rights in Gaza, and the review could lead to the suspension of the entire deal.
Britain, meanwhile, suspended free-trade negotiations and summoned Israel's ambassador. Foreign Secretary David Lammy accused Netanyahu's government of "egregious actions and rhetoric" over its expansion of military attacks in the Palestinian territory.
Lammy told the British parliament that the government was imposing new sanctions on individuals and organisations involved in West Bank settlements.
"The world is judging, history will judge them. Blocking aid, expanding the war, and dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible and it must stop," he said.
He said Britain would be "reviewing cooperation" with Israel under a so-called 2030 roadmap for UK-Israel relations. The "Netanyahu government's actions have made this necessary," Lammy said.
Israel responded by saying "external pressure" would not stop the country from "defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction".
"If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said in a statement.
France also renewed its diplomatic criticism of Israel, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reaffirming a commitment to recognise a Palestinian state.
"We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So all this must stop, and that's why we are determined to recognise a Palestinian state," Barrot told France Inter radio.
Israeli carnage
Israel has killed over 53,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in its carnage so far in Gaza.
It reduced most of the enclave to ruins and displaced almost the entire population.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
