Europe’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, is to propose suspending political dialogue with Israel over its war in the Gaza Strip at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday in Brussels.

The decision comes after “a year of unheeded appeals from Israeli authorities regarding respect for international law in the war in Gaza,” Borrell wrote in a statement preceding the meeting.

Additionally, Borrell wants the importation of products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are illegal under international law, to be banned.

The EU’s foreign policy chief said in October that he wanted to lead a debate on Israel’s conduct in the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon at the next meeting of foreign ministers.

Political dialogue with Israel is governed by the EU-Israel Association Agreement which entered into force in 2000, which provides for regular exchanges to strengthen the partnership.

It also affirms that relations between the parties are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.

Spain and Ireland had already proposed a few months ago that the partnership agreement between the EU and Israel be examined closely.

The agreement covers not only political dialogue but also economic cooperation in areas such as industry, energy, transport and tourism.

EU diplomats stressed that suspending the institutional political dialogue does not mean suspending the EU’s association agreement with Israel.

This decision would also not suspend the Association Council, created by the EU-Israel agreement and which is the main body managing relations between the two parties.

If the proposal is adopted, diplomats said the differences could be discussed in the Association Council with Israel.