By Nikolaj Nielsen, Brussels, 

 

BRUSSELS, 25 Feb. - (ANA) - The European Commission has no intention of stripping Israel of visa-free access to Europe despite rights-abuses in the occupied Gaza and West Bank.

 

This comes despite new rules from last December that allow the Brussels-executive to stop granting free travel passes to countries that violate human rights and international law.

 

“At the moment, we don’t see migratory or security risks coming from Israel,” Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner in charge of home affairs, told European lawmakers on Tuesday (24 February).

 

He also said there was no appetite to “single out” visa-free partners, citing overall relations with Israel.

 

The commission has in the past condemned Israel for new rules that essentially prevent NGOs from operating in Gaza. It has also in the past described as “illegal” Israeli plans to annex Palestinian territory.

 

But those views have since been tempered and softened with rhetoric that now describes the annexation as a step “in the wrong direction”.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/25 February 2026 - - -