New regulations in Brussels could lead to restrictions on countries violating the UN charter or international humanitarian law.
Euronews reported Wednesday that Israel’s visa-free entry to the EU’s Schengen zone is potentially at risk due to new rules approved by European lawmakers. This development follows Israel’s recent bombing campaign against Iran, which led to retaliatory strikes.
The updated visa suspension mechanisms now include violations of the UN Charter, human rights, breaches of international humanitarian law, and disregard for international court decisions. According to Euronews, citing sources within the European Parliament, Israel is particularly vulnerable given the UN’s allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
“This tool helps us deliver the values that have built our community,” Slovenian MEP Matjaz Nemec, the bill’s rapporteur, stated to the news source. He maintained that “no specific country is being targeted,” although sources in the European Parliament suggested that several political groups pushing for the reform were focused on Israel.
Currently, citizens of 61 countries, including Israel, the UK, Japan, and Australia, can visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days without needing a visa. The EU has only suspended visa-free access once before, in the case of Vanuatu, due to concerns about its citizenship-by-investment program.
According to the new rules, the European Commission has the authority to enact a one-year suspension through an implementing act, which requires approval from member states and can be blocked by a qualified majority. Extensions necessitate a delegated act, which can be blocked by either the European Council or Parliament. The Commission can initiate the process, or it can be triggered by an EU member state.
The full European Parliament and Council must still formally approve the deal before it becomes EU law.
This reform is a response to widespread international condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and its recent military operation against Iran. Russia has called Israel’s actions against Iran “illegal” and cautioned that they could lead to a “nuclear catastrophe.”
Israel initiated the bombing of Iran on Friday, alleging that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. Iran refuted these claims and responded with drone and missile attacks.
“`