Germany and Italy on Tuesday rejected proposals to halt the EU’s cooperation agreement with Israel, even as anger mounts within the bloc over Israel’s actions in Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.
Spain and Ireland had put the issue of halting the June 2000 agreement back on the table at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the proposal "inappropriate".
"We have to talk with Israel about the critical issues," he said, adding: "That has to be done in a critical, constructive dialogue with Israel."
Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani pushed back as well, saying that "no decision will be taken today".
