As differences continue among EU countries over Israel, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has suggested suspending political dialogue. The proposal, made on the grounds of humanitarian law violations in Gaza, has sparked debate among member states. Countries such as Germany, Italy, and Greece argue that channels for dialogue should be kept open. The issue will be discussed by foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels.
European Union (EU) countries continue to have deep disagreements over relations with Israel. The outgoing EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell’s proposal to suspend political dialogue with Israel has raised tensions in Brussels. The controversial proposal will be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers on November 18.
In his letter to EU President Ursula von der Leyen and member states on 13 November, Josep Borrell based his proposal on serious concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law.
The proposal calls for the human rights clause in the Association Agreement signed between the EU and Israel 24 years ago to be invoked and for political dialogue to be suspended, but it is designed in a way that does not affect other aspects of the agreement, such as trade.
According to the BBC, the proposal has once again exposed the divisions within the EU. Spain and Ireland are trying to mobilize for the Association Agreement to be reviewed.
The Commission, which requires unanimity from member states for this step, has not yet taken any initiative in this direction. It is also known that there are strong objections within the Union on this issue.
Borell’s proposal, which highlights the extent of divisions in the EU, was first discussed this week by the Coreper committee, a committee of permanent representatives from EU countries, and has faced significant objections.
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have made it clear that they are not keen on the offer.
Germany has officially announced its opposition to this proposal. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, “We are in favor of keeping channels of dialogue open at all times. Of course, this also applies to Israel.”
Although Borrell signaled that a stronger message and concrete steps needed to be taken regarding Israel, member states did not expect the suspension proposal.
EU sources say the possibility of the proposal being accepted is “close to zero.” However, even bringing the proposal up is considered a message to Israel.
Borrell’s proposal will be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday, November 18. The proposal will be assessed under the heading of developments in the Middle East. Senior EU officials say that even if the proposal is rejected, the discussion will reinforce the message to Israel that “actions must have consequences.”
According to Euro News, “We ask that the Commission undertake an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its obligations, including under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which makes respect for human rights and democratic principles an essential element of the relationship,” Pedro Sanchez and Leo Varadkar, say.
He told the Dáil there was a “serious risk of a massacre” occurring in Rafah if a ground assault were to occur, adding that Netanyahu was making the situation much worse for his own country in the long term if he insisted on “going down the path they are going.”
According to the Independent, In a joint letter, Mr Varadkar and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel trade agreement.
According to The Diplomat, Despite this, the letter denounces, “Almost 28,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 67,000 are injured, and we have witnessed the displacement of 1.9 million people (85% of the population) within Gaza and the wholesale destruction of homes and extensive damage to vital civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.”
The letter also refers to the concerns expressed by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, about “the appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma of civilians” in Gaza and recalls the “binding provisional measures” imposed on January 26 by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to Israel “within the provisions of the Genocide Convention.”
“Against the background of the risk of an even greater humanitarian catastrophe posed by the imminent threat of Israeli military operations in Rafah, and given what has occurred, and continues to occur in Gaza since October 2023, including widespread concern about possible breaches of IHL and international human rights law by Israel, we ask that the Commission undertake an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its obligations, including under the EU/Israel Association Agreement, which makes respect for human rights and democratic principles an essential element of the relationship; and if it considers that it is in breach, that it proposes appropriate measures to the Council to consider,” Pedro Sanchez and Leo Varadkar write in letter.
“Finally, we must not lose sight of the pressing need for a political perspective to end the conflict. The implementation of the two-state solution is the only way to make sure this cycle of violence does not repeat itself. The EU has a responsibility to take action to make this a reality, in coordination with the parties and the international community, including through an international peace conference, as agreed by the European Council on 26 October,” the letter concludes.
They describe the expanded Israeli military operation in the Rafah area as posing a “grave and imminent threat” that the international community must “urgently confront.”
While Borrell’s initiative once again raises the need for the EU to review its policies towards Israel, the lack of a strong consensus on this issue within the union limits the EU’s international influence.
