The European Union rejected on Monday the idea of suspending political dialogue with Israel over human rights violations in the Gaza Strip. The proposal was made by the outgoing EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. He warned just days before the end of his mandate: "History will judge everyone, all of us", summarizes the European Newsroom, BTA reported.
On Monday, Borrell said that "there are no more words" to describe the crisis in the Middle East, making a gloomy assessment of what could be his last meeting of foreign ministers. At a press briefing, Borrell said that a majority of the 27 EU countries had - as expected - rejected his call to end political dialogue with Israel over the war in Gaza.
Barely concealing his disappointment at the EU's lack of influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his five-year term, Borrell had earlier said he had "run out of words to explain what is happening".
Borell's proposal to end the EU's political dialogue with Israel - part of a wider agreement on trade relations - was expected to meet resistance from many member states, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Belgium.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council (a monthly meeting of foreign ministers within the EU Council - ed.), which took place on 18 November, could be the last one chaired by Borrell. His likely successor is former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is likely to take over from Borrell in the next European Commission, again chaired by Ursula von der Leyen.
"This is a war on children"
"This is a war on children", the 77-year-old EU foreign policy chief told reporters after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. He described the "apocalyptic situation in Gaza, where 70 percent of the victims are children and women" and two million people have been displaced. Borrell also acknowledged the suffering of Israeli hostages held captive by the Palestinian armed group "Hamas" and other armed groups since the attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
The attacks by "Hamas" have killed 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to a count of official Israeli figures by the French news agency Agence France-Presse. The Ministry of Health in the "Hamas"-run Gaza Strip says 43,922 people, mostly civilians, have died there since 7 October.
The majority of European Union member states are against freezing the EU-Israel dialogue
"Most member states believe that it is much better to continue to maintain diplomatic and political relations with Israel," Borrell confirmed. He pointed out that his proposal was supported by a report prepared by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog. The report is based on a compilation of data on violations published by UN agencies and other international organisations working in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said that his services had "at least made available" all the information produced by UN bodies and international organisations on the ground "to assess the way the war is being fought".
Borel added that he had done so after the European Commission had "not proposed anything" since Spain and Ireland requested an "urgent review" in February. on whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
EU divided over Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank
Since Israel launched a devastating counter-offensive in Gaza, EU countries have been deeply divided over the conflict.
German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock rejected Borrell's proposal to end regular political dialogue with Israel. "We are always in favour of keeping the channels of dialogue open. Of course, that also applies to Israel", she said. "Humanitarian aid is firmly anchored in international law," she said. Berbock made it clear that there should be no colonisation of Gaza and no eviction from the territory.
France has opposed the freezing of EU-Israel dialogue but supports sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. "We are deeply committed to Israel's security", French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the Paris Peace Forum, but "in the interest of Israel, of Israeli security, international law must be respected and justice must be achieved". During his visit to the West Bank on 7 November, Barrot had already threatened a new round of sanctions and renewed France's commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs Ines Domingos said Portugal also opposed Borrell's proposal, stressing that "now is not the ideal time" for it. Dominguez said there were substantive grounds, as Lisbon considered the dialogue "positive", but it was also a matter of time, as there was currently a transition at the EU executive level. The approval process for the new European Commission (EC) was underway - hearings of the new commissioners were continuing and the new EC was expected to start work in December. "At the moment we think (...) that it is important to maintain the political dialogue", she said.
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kaspar Veldkamp, said: "There is a new Israeli minister (Israel Katz - the new Minister of Defense), there will soon be a new High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; "we will wait for these two opportunities to start the dialogue, because there are many things to discuss, including the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that "boycotting the dialogue with Israel is pointless. If you want to work for peace, you cannot avoid talking to Israel."
Bulgaria's Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova stressed the need to de-escalate the conflict, renew diplomatic efforts and prevent the escalation of hostilities in the region. "Bulgaria supports the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the cessation of hostilities," Shekerletova said.
On behalf of Slovenia, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said that the country was ready to consider Borrell's proposal to suspend the dialogue with Israel. She said the focus should be on Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which concerns respect for human rights. "This is the key point that must be preserved. But there are other issues, which is why it is worth considering the possibility of a temporary suspension."
Fayon again called for tougher sanctions against Israeli settlers who commit violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Slovenia's top diplomat also called for sanctions against Israeli political leaders who support what is happening. She also called for an embargo on imports labeled as originating from the occupied Palestinian territories.