The European Commission on Tuesday registered a European Citizens’ Initiative titled: “We demand the full suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement due to Israel’s human rights violations.”

The Commission stated that, following an extensive legal assessment of admissibility, it considers the initiative to meet the formal requirements set out in the regulation governing ECIs. At this stage, the Commission has not examined the substance of the proposal. The registration does not prejudge the Commission’s final position on the matter, nor any actions it may take. A decision on substance will be taken only if the initiative gathers at least one million signatures from EU citizens.

According to the Commission, following Tuesday’s registration, the organisers now have six months to launch the 12-month signature-collection period. If the initiative receives at least one million statements of support during that period—and meets the minimum signature thresholds in at least seven member states—the Commission will be obliged to respond and decide what measures, if any, it will take, providing a clear justification for its decision.