The EU follows Palestinian political develoments closely. The EU has therefore looked carefully at Hamas' ‘Document of General Principles and Policies' of May 2017. It does indeed mark a softening of Hamas' historic position on the 1967 lines and the Jewish state, but clearly does not replace the original founding Charter of 1988. It retains extensive definition of Palestine's boundaries, rejects the Oslo Accords and considers the establishment of Israel as ‘entirely illegal'.

On these grounds, as well as its recent actions, the EU does not see a case for a change in policy towards Hamas nor considers it appropriate to draw a distinction between its military and civilian wings.