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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How does the human rights clause in the EU-Israel agreements impact the potential suspension of political dialogue, according to Josep Borrell?
**Interview with Josep Borrell on Proposed Suspension of EU-Israel Political Talks**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Josep Borrell. You’ve recently sent a letter to EU foreign ministers outlining some serious concerns regarding Israel’s actions in the Gaza war. Can you elaborate on what prompted this proposal to suspend political talks?
**Borrell:** Thank you for having me. My proposal is driven by significant worries about potential violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The situation there has raised alarms across the international community, and I believe it is essential for the EU to respond thoughtfully and firmly. In my letter, I explicitly mentioned that Israel has not adequately addressed these serious concerns about its military actions.
**Interviewer:** You refer to a ‘human rights clause’ in the EU-Israel agreements. How does this come into play with your proposal?
**Borrell:** The human rights clause within our agreements is a crucial mechanism intended to ensure that mutual respect for human rights shapes our cooperative relationship. In light of the grave issues we are witnessing right now, it is imperative that we invoke this clause. This would mean suspending our political dialogue until these human rights concerns are properly addressed.
**Interviewer:** The EU-Israel political dialogue has been fundamental since its establishment in 2000, particularly in terms of trade and relations. What are the broader implications of this suspension?
**Borrell:** The suspension, if enacted, would send a strong message about our commitment to human rights. It could strain the relationship, certainly, but it is a necessary step if we wish to uphold our values. Dialogue is important, but it cannot come at the expense of fundamental rights and humanitarian law. This stance reflects our responsibility to act when we see violations, especially in a conflict as severe as the one ongoing in Gaza.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what do you hope will come from this proposal, both for the EU and for Israel?
**Borrell:** I hope that this will lead to constructive discussions that push both sides towards a resolution that respects human rights and addresses the humanitarian crisis at hand. For the EU, it is about standing by our principles. For Israel, I hope it will provoke serious introspection on how it conducts its operations and engages with the international community. Ultimately, I believe that respect for human rights paves the way for lasting peace and security in the region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Josep Borrell. We appreciate you sharing your perspective on such a crucial topic.
**Borrell:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep these discussions alive as we navigate these challenging times.
