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 potential consequences of the EU invoking human rights clauses against Israel in light of the recent comments by Josep Borrell?
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Cohen, Middle Eastern Affairs Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. Recently, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell expressed serious concerns regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, suggesting possible human rights violations. Can you provide context on Borrell’s comments?
**Dr. Cohen:** Absolutely. Borrell’s remarks come at a time when the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza have drawn increasing international scrutiny. His letter highlights a growing worry among EU ministers about potential breaches of international humanitarian law by Israel during its military operations. The significance of this is underscored by the long-standing EU-Israel relationship, which is based not just on trade but also on mutual commitments to uphold human rights.
**Interviewer:** Borrell mentioned that Israel has not adequately addressed these concerns so far. What does he mean by that, and what are the implications for EU-Israel relations?
**Dr. Cohen:** When Borrell states that Israel hasn’t adequately responded, he signals that the EU is looking for more transparency and accountability regarding the situation in Gaza. If these concerns remain unaddressed, this might lead to actions like invoking human rights clauses within trade agreements. Such steps could strain diplomatic relations and potentially have significant economic repercussions for Israel.
**Interviewer:** How does the human rights clause in the EU-Israel agreement work in practice, and what would it mean for the current political climate?
**Dr. Cohen:** The human rights clause allows the EU to suspend parts of its partnership with Israel if there are determined violations. Borrell’s proposal suggests a serious determination to hold Israel accountable, which is a departure from more supportive stances we’ve seen in the past. If the EU moves forward with this, it could not only shift the political dialogue but also influence other nations’ approaches toward Israel.
**Interviewer:** Given the complexities of the situation, what challenges do you foresee in implementing Borrell’s proposal?
**Dr. Cohen:** One of the biggest challenges will be achieving consensus among EU member states. Countries like Hungary and Poland have historically been more supportive of Israel, and there could be significant resistance to any punitive measures. Additionally, there are geopolitical ramifications to consider, especially with rising tensions in the Middle East and the EU’s need to maintain strategic partnerships throughout the region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights on this important issue.
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to seeing how this situation develops.
