Brussels, November 15 — The Europe Today: The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has reportedly called for suspending political ties with Israel over concerns about potential human rights violations committed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. The suggestion comes amid mounting criticism of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the group’s surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
In a letter to EU foreign ministers, Borrell cited “serious concerns about possible breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza” and noted that these issues have “not been sufficiently addressed” by Israel. The EU-Israel Association Treaty, under which regular political dialogue is maintained, is built on mutual respect for democracy and human rights. Borrell’s recommendation to invoke the treaty’s human rights clause to suspend political dialogue aims to send a “strong signal” to Israel.
Media reports indicate that Borrell’s proposal was discussed with EU diplomats and is expected to be raised formally at a meeting of EU foreign ministers next week. However, any decision to suspend ties would require unanimous support from all 27 EU member states—a prospect described by some diplomatic sources as unlikely due to diverse opinions within the bloc.
Israel’s military actions in Gaza have led to significant international criticism, with over 40,000 deaths reported by Palestinian health authorities. The conflict’s toll has also deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, drawing condemnation from the UN over what it describes as violations of international law. Israel, for its part, maintains that it operates within the principles of distinction and proportionality under international law.
