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 are the key human rights concerns raised by Josep Borrell in his proposal regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Torres, European Foreign Policy Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. We’re seeing significant developments regarding the European Union’s position on Israel, particularly with Foreign Minister Josep Borrell’s recent proposal concerning human rights violations in Gaza. Can you elaborate on the key points of Borrell’s proposal?
**Dr. Torres:** Certainly, and thank you for having me. Borrell’s proposal highlights serious concerns regarding potential violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. He addressed these concerns in a letter to EU foreign ministers and pointed out that, as of now, Israel has not provided adequate responses or reassurances concerning these issues.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that this proposal ties into the broader EU-Israel relations. Can you explain how such a proposal interacts with the established trade agreement from June 2000?
**Dr. Torres:** Absolutely. The EU-Israel agreement from 2000 includes a human rights clause, which serves as a framework for how member states engage with Israel. If the EU decides to invoke this clause to suspend some aspects of the relationship, it would be a significant move, reflecting a shift in how the EU addresses human rights violations. Essentially, it would put pressure on Israel and could lead to a reevaluation of their strong trade ties.
**Interviewer:** What are the potential implications of this proposal for Israeli-EU relations?
**Dr. Torres:** The implications could be substantial. A suspension or re-negotiation of trade relations could affect not just economics but also political and diplomatic engagements. It may push Israel to address these human rights concerns more seriously, but it could also exacerbate tensions between the EU and Israel, making dialogue more challenging. The outcome largely depends on how both sides respond.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what are the next steps for the EU following Borrell’s proposal?
**Dr. Torres:** The next steps will involve discussions among EU foreign ministers at their scheduled meeting. They will need to weigh the severity of the concerns raised with the existing ties with Israel and decide on a collective course of action. This may foster a more robust dialogue on human rights within the context of their geopolitical strategies, so we’ll be watching closely as events unfold.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights on this important issue.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me.