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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In what ways might the potential suspension of dialog impact future EU policies towards the Middle East, particularly with respect to Israel and the broader Arab states?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Torres, Political Analyst Specializing in EU-Middle East Relations**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. Recently, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell proposed suspending dialog with Israel due to concerns over possible human rights violations in Gaza. Can you provide some context for this decision?
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. Josep Borrell’s proposal reflects deepening concerns within the EU regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza and their potential violations of international humanitarian law. In his letter to the EU foreign ministers, he outlined “serious concerns” that Israel has not adequately addressed, which complicates the longstanding relationship between the EU and Israel, originally forged through a political dialog and trade agreements dating back to 2000 [[1](https://www.yahoo.com/news/borrell-proposal-freeze-eu-dialog-172726381.html)].
**Interviewer:** What specific actions has Borrell suggested in response to these concerns?
**Dr. Torres:** Borrell is proposing that the EU utilize the human rights clause contained in their agreements with Israel. This clause allows for the suspension of political dialog and cooperation if there are significant breaches of human rights. Essentially, it signals a willingness from the EU to take a stand on human rights issues, prioritizing them over economic and political considerations [[1](https://www.yahoo.com/news/borrell-proposal-freeze-eu-dialog-172726381.html)].
**Interviewer:** How might this impact the EU’s relationship with Israel moving forward?
**Dr. Torres:** If Borrell’s proposal is accepted, it could lead to a significant cooling of relations between the EU and Israel. The political dialog has been a cornerstone of their relationship, facilitating not just diplomatic discussions but also substantial trade agreements. A suspension could create a ripple effect, pushing Israel to address the human rights concerns more urgently if it wishes to maintain these ties [[1](https://www.yahoo.com/news/borrell-proposal-freeze-eu-dialog-172726381.html)].
**Interviewer:** What reactions can we expect from the Israeli government in response to this potential EU action?
**Dr. Torres:** Israel will likely push back against any perceived threat to its sovereignty or security. Israeli officials may argue that their military actions are necessary for self-defense, particularly in the context of ongoing hostilities with groups in Gaza. This could lead to further diplomatic tensions and even provoke a more hardened stance from Israel that could isolate it further internationally [[1](https://www.yahoo.com/news/borrell-proposal-freeze-eu-dialog-172726381.html)].
**Interviewer:** Dr. Torres, thank you for your insights on this developing situation. It will be interesting to see how the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers unfolds.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, the next steps taken by the EU will be crucial for both its internal unity and its external relations.