Israel losing its EU allies, Politico writes

Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary’s general election strips Israel of one of its most dependable allies inside the European Union, removing a leader who repeatedly used his veto to shield Benjamin Netanyahu’s government from pressure, Politico writes.

His ouster comes as criticism of Israel is hardening across Europe, adding momentum to efforts to downgrade EU-Israel relations.

That shift is visible even among leaders who had been seen as broadly sympathetic to Israel. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday he was “deeply concerned about developments in the Palestinian territories” following human rights organizations’ reports of a surge in violence against Palestinians by settlers in the West Bank. Italy last week suspended a defense and technology agreement with Israel after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani denounced what he called “unacceptable” Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

An EU official said a “turning point” in Brussels’ mood toward Israel came after a series of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon in early April killed more than 250 people. “That cost Israel some friends.”

Another potential step from the EU is suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The agreement, which entered into force in 2000, underpins commercial relations between the EU and Israel.

“The mood is shifting,” said a second senior EU official who is involved in organizing diplomatic conversations about Israel. “Look at the Merz comments and what’s been happening in Italy,” the official added, saying much would depend on the Lebanon peace process.