Was it an angry summons or a friendly invitation? When the European Union and Israel hold formal talks, it tends to be a sign of warming ties — like the last edition back in 2022 or the previous round a whole decade before.

This time was supposed to be different. Instead of plans to boost cooperation, the impetus for Monday's meeting was a push by two EU states last year to review trade and ties with Israel over its conduct in Gaza — including actions that the International Criminal Court has since said may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

But Israel denies those accusations, and EU sources were clear ahead of the association council meeting in Brussels.

"The idea is to keep the dialogue going and not hold a tribunal for Israel," one senior diplomat said.

The original Spanish and Irish drive to review the EU-Israel association agreement, which governs trade and includes provisions on upholding human rights, was also "not on the table."

EU diplomats told DW it took months of internal negotiations among the 27 countries, which range from fierce critics to fast friends of Israel, to reach the compromises needed to convene the first talks since Hamas' October 7 terror attacks.

Israel seemed to see the EU's invitation as a positive sign. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the meeting demonstrated "desire to renew a normal........

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