Borrell‘s proposal is due to Israel‘s involvement in possible human rights violations in the Gaza war, and in a letter he sent on Wednesday to European Union foreign ministers before their meeting scheduled for next Monday, Borrell referred to “serious concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.”
“So far, Israel has not adequately addressed these concerns,” he said.
The political dialogue is an essential part of a broader agreement on relations between the European Union and Israel, which also addresses close trade relations, and entered into force in June 2000.
“In light of the considerations described above, I will submit a proposal that the European Union resort to the human rights clause to suspend political dialogue with Israel,” Borrell wrote.
Any suspension would require approval from all 27 EU member states, something diplomats said was “extremely unlikely.”
Three diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said several countries objected when a senior EU official briefed ambassadors in Brussels on the proposal on Wednesday.
One diplomat said that Borrell’s proposal aims to send a strong signal that reflects concern about Israel’s behavior in the war.
One of the diplomats also said that there was “surprise” among the ambassadors at the “lack of preparation and preparation” for the proposal.
The proposal will be discussed at the foreign ministers’ meeting, the last that Borrell will chair before the end of his five-year term.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said last week that nearly 70 percent of the verified deaths in the war were women and children, and condemned what it described as a systematic violation of the basic principles of international humanitarian law.
Israel said that it categorically rejects the commission’s report, and the Israeli army indicated that its actions “are consistent with the principles of distinction and proportionality and are preceded by a careful assessment of the possibilities of harming civilians.”
The European Union is seeking to reach a strong, unified position on the Gaza war that broke out on October 7, 2023.
There are countries in the bloc, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, that strongly support Israel, while other countries, such as Spain and Ireland, confirm their support for the Palestinians.
Source: Reuters
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What specific measures or actions is the EU considering to enforce the human rights clause in its agreement with Israel in light of ongoing violations in Gaza?
**Interview with Josep Borrell on Human Rights Concerns in Gaza**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Thank you for joining us today.
**Borrell:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** In your recent letter to EU foreign ministers, you expressed serious concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. Can you elaborate on what specific violations you are worried about?
**Borrell:** Certainly. We are deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure that is essential for civilian life, which may amount to violations of international humanitarian law. These issues raise fundamental questions about the conduct of military operations in densely populated areas.
**Interviewer:** You mention that Israel has not adequately addressed these concerns. What kind of responses have you been looking for, and what steps do you think can be taken to address these violations?
**Borrell:** We expect transparent and accountable responses from Israel regarding the operations in Gaza. This should include independent investigations into allegations of human rights and humanitarian law violations. Moreover, we believe dialogue is essential, and it’s crucial that Israel engages constructively with the international community on these issues.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the political dialogue in your letter as part of the broader EU-Israel agreement. How do these human rights concerns impact trade relations between the EU and Israel?
**Borrell:** The human rights clause within the EU-Israel agreement is significant. If we cannot ensure that human rights are respected, we may have to consider suspending parts of our political and trade relations. This would not be our preferred option, but we need to uphold our principles.
**Interviewer:** What action do you plan to take regarding the proposal to resort to the human rights clause, and how do you envision this unfolding at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers?
**Borrell:** At the meeting, I will present a detailed proposal emphasizing the need for immediate action. It will include a call for a thorough discussion on how the EU should respond if concerns remain unaddressed. This could involve steps towards suspending elements of our relationship until we see genuine accountability and a commitment to human rights from Israel.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Borrell, for sharing your insights. It’s a critical moment for the EU and Israel, and we appreciate your efforts to uphold humanitarian standards.
**Borrell:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues.
