“Justice for Palestine” European Citizens’ Initiative reaches 1 million signatures, next step is 1.5 million signatures

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 14 April 2026 — The “Justice for Palestine” European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) has reached one million signatures today, only three months after its launch on 13 January 2026.  This is the fastest ECI to reach 1 million signatures. It has also surpassed the required national thresholds in 10 Member States - three more than the minimum of seven required under EU rules.

This initiative calls on the European Union to fully suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement due to Israel’s genocide, occupation, and apartheid against the Palestinian population, and its ongoing violations of international law and human rights.

This is a grassroots initiative, put forward by the European Left Alliance (ELA), now also bringing together civil society organisations, Palestinian-led movements, collectives, and citizens across the EU.

One million people have spoken: the EU must fully suspend its Association Agreement with Israel – the EU must stand for international law and stop its complicity with Israel’s genocide.

Onward to 1.5 Million – the fight is far from over

The European Left Alliance calls on every citizen who has not yet signed to do so now, and to those who have signed already, to continue their mobilisation.

We now aim at reaching 1,5 million signatures to build further pressure on the European Commission and ensure that we have at least 1 million valid signatures. Under EU law, a European Citizens’ Initiative must collect at least 1 million valid signatures for the Commission to formally consider legislative or policy action.

This is why increasing the number of signatures is now more important than ever.

The gap between European citizens’ demands and the EU leadership’s policy on Palestine keeps growing – the EU must act

The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner. Despite the ongoing genocide and occupation, total trade in goods between the EU and Israel in 2024 alone amounted to €42.6 billion. 738 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza since a so-called  “ceasefire” came into effect on 10 October 2025, but the real toll is far higher. A sustainable ceasefire will only come through an end to the illegal colonial occupation.

Continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon have brought renewed urgency to calls for the EU to expedite the complete suspension of its association agreement.

"Israel mass kills civilians, destroys vital infrastructure, and has recently passed a death penalty law targeting only Palestinian political prisoners, yet the EU rewards Israel by maintaining its privileged trade agreement. The EU is allowing Israel not only to continue its genocide against Palestinians, but to economically profit from it as well." Catarina Martins, co-chair of the European Left Alliance.

Link to sign the ECI: https://eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#/screen/home

More information about the campaign is also available on its website.

ENDS