A petition signed by more than one million EU citizens is set to formally trigger a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a key trade framework governing relations between the two parties. The move comes amid growing friction between Europe and Israel, with Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz describing illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank as de facto annexation, Italy scrapping a defence cooperation pact, and Brussels condemning Israel's invasion of Lebanon. Analysts say the alliance is facing unprecedented pressure, raising questions about the long-term future of one of Israel's most strategically important international partnerships.