Sample letter to MEP candidates
Dear (MEP / MEP candidate)
I am writing to you to ask your position on the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which is being considered for upgrade.
The massacre in Gaza left 1,440 Palestinians killed, of whom 431 were children and 114 women. Over 5,380 were injured, of whom 1,872 were children and 800 women. These actions are the latest in a long line of actions by the Israeli government which directly contradict international law and Israel’s humanitarian obligations under Article 2 of the current trade agreement. This has been further exacerbated by Israel’s continued siege on Gaza, which is both illegal and inhumane.
Israel enjoys preferential treatment, resulting in trade which exceeds 25 billion Euros and which makes the EU its main trade partner. The EU therefore has huge economic leverage to influence Israel to respect human rights legislation. For it to continue, and upgrade its trade relations after Israel’s attack on Gaza would be nothing short of an endorsement of its actions.
I am therefore asking for your support for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and opposition to any upgrade of this Agreement. I also enclose a questionnaire.
I would appreciate an answer to these questions before June 4th, as they will inform my decisions about who I will be voting for in the forthcoming European elections.
Yours sincerely,