- Oskar Deutsch warned against right-wing extremism at an exhibition opening on Vienna’s Heldenplatz
FYI:
- Major groups representing U.S. universities have released a statement criticizing the Trump administration’s approach to combatting campus antisemitism, which it said involves steps that “endanger” academic freedom
- More than 70 former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter demanding Israel and its national broadcaster KAN to be banned from this year’s contest, which is due to take place next week
EU lifts immunity of Polish far-right presidential candidate. Controversial far-right Polish MEP Grzegorz Braun, who is running for president of Poland in the upcoming elections, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday. Read more.
DUTCH WARNING ON EU-ISRAEL AGREEMENT: As EU foreign ministers gather in Warsaw today, the Netherlands’ Caspar Veldkamp is putting Israel-Gaza squarely on the table. In a letter addressed to Europe’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, and seen by Playbook’s Nicholas Vinocur, Veldkamp requests a review of Israel’s compliance with the EU-Israel association agreement, notably regarding Article 2: Israel’s obligations under humanitarian law. Alarm over aid: Veldkamp raises doubts about Israel’s efforts to distribute aid in Gaza, saying “this system does not appear to be compatible with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and would not allow for the unconditional and unhindered distribution of aid to people in need.” Veto warning: Veldkamp goes on to demand a review of Israel’s compliance with the association agreement, saying: “I withhold the support of the Netherlands for extending the EU-Israel Action Plan pending a review of Article 2.” The EU-Action Plan is the operational part of the association agreement, which a Dutch veto would render moot. Taking a distance: The Netherlands has been taking a steadily tougher line against Israel since the breakdown of ceasefire efforts. In April, it tightened restrictions on exports of dual-use goods to Israel, checking them on a case-by-case basis. A Dutch call for suspending the association agreement would add heft to a push from other countries to review the relationship with Israel. Veldkamp specifies that he supports Israeli security and calls for the release of all hostages held by Hamas. But he also calls for a “broader reflection on and discussing of our relationship with Israel,” underlining that he is “deeply concerned about these developments,” referring to Israel’s operations in Gaza, Syria and the West Bank.