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 might Israel respond to the concerns raised by EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell regarding human rights violations in Gaza?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Marks, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Marks. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent proposal by EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell regarding Israel.
**Dr. Marks:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial and sensitive topic, given the current situation in Gaza.
**Editor:** Borrell has expressed serious concerns about potential human rights violations in Gaza, citing Israel’s actions during the conflict. Can you elaborate on the context of these concerns?
**Dr. Marks:** Certainly. Borrell’s proposal reflects deep apprehensions within the European Union regarding Israel’s military actions and their compliance with international humanitarian law. In his letter to EU foreign ministers, he highlighted the lack of sufficient response from Israel to these serious allegations. This signals a potential shift in the EU’s approach towards Israel, particularly if the dialog is suspended over human rights issues [[1](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/eus-borrell-proposes-suspending-israel-dialog-over-gaza-war-concerns)].
**Editor:** How significant is this proposal in the broader context of EU-Israel relations?
**Dr. Marks:** It’s quite significant. The political dialog between the EU and Israel has been a cornerstone of their relationship since the agreement entered into force in 2000. If the EU were to invoke the human rights clause and suspend this dialog, it would not only strain diplomatic relations but could also impact trade agreements and other collaborative efforts [[1](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/eus-borrell-proposes-suspending-israel-dialog-over-gaza-war-concerns)].
**Editor:** What are the potential implications for Israel if the EU decides to act on Borrell’s proposal?
**Dr. Marks:** If the EU suspends its political dialog with Israel, it could lead to broader diplomatic isolation for Israel and may also encourage other nations to reassess their own relationships with Israel. Economically, this could affect trade, given that the EU is one of Israel’s largest trading partners. Moreover, it could further complicate the already tense situation in the region and affect peace talks with the Palestinians.
**Editor:** Given the gravity of the situation, what steps do you think Israel could take in response to these concerns?
**Dr. Marks:** Israel could start by addressing the allegations head-on, perhaps through increased transparency in its military operations and engaging in meaningful dialog with EU representatives. Acknowledging the concerns regarding humanitarian law and showing a commitment to upholding those standards could be vital in mitigating the EU’s response and preserving their long-standing relationship.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Marks, for your insights on this pressing issue. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops as the foreign ministers convene next week.
**Dr. Marks:** Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to the outcome of those discussions.
