The European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, will propose to EU governments to suspend political dialogue with Israel. This will be the proposal that the head of diplomacy will put forward in his last meeting with the EU Foreign Ministers, in the framework of the revision of the agreement with Israel proposed by Spain and Ireland and which had been lying in the drawer for months due to the lack of consensus on the inside the community club.
Borrell will force an EU debate on revising the trade deal with Israel in November
The proposal is based on the violation of international and humanitarian law in Gaza, which the 27 have already denounced for attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon and whose failure to comply constitutes a violation of the rules of the EU association agreement with Israel.
The proposal will be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled for next Monday in Brussels, to see what the member states think of it.
Borrell thus keeps his promise to bring the issue to the last Foreign Affairs Council that he will chair before handing over the baton to the Estonian Kaja Kallas.
According to reports from independent international organizations, there are reasons to believe that Israel is violating human rights and international humanitarian law, add the diplomatic sources cited by the EFE Agency, who specify that the suspension of political dialogue does not mean the suspension of the Agreement of Association or the Association Council. Indeed, they added, this may be something that can be discussed in the Association Council with Israel.
Now, the proposal formally puts on the table the debate among member states about how they view Israel’s behavior and whether they believe Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is violating human rights and international humanitarian law.
At the same time, diplomatic sources say, it is a “serious political signal” about how the EU views the behavior of the Israeli authorities due to the war in Gaza and Lebanon.
This step comes after Borrell confirmed the impossibility of convening the Association Council with Israel to listen to that country’s head of diplomacy, as the Foreign Ministers of the Twenty-Seven had requested before last summer.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Foreign Affairs Expert
Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen significant developments concerning EU-Israel relations, with Josep Borrell proposing to suspend political dialogue with Israel. Could you provide some context on what led to this proposal?
Expert: Certainly. Borrell’s proposal stems from escalating tensions and perceived violations of international and humanitarian law, particularly in Gaza. The EU has expressed concerns about the conduct of Israeli forces, especially with regards to peacekeeping operations in the region and the ongoing situation in Gaza. This situation has prompted a reconsideration of the political dialogue framework that has been in place.
Editor: That makes sense. There’s been talk about revising the trade agreement between the EU and Israel as well. How does this connect to Borrell’s proposal?
Expert: The proposed revision is directly tied to the EU’s commitment to uphold international law and human rights standards. The association agreement with Israel includes compliance with these norms, so ongoing violations provide a basis for the EU to reevaluate its relations. Spain and Ireland have been particularly vocal about this, pushing for a reassessment for months, which had previously stalled due to a lack of consensus among EU member states.
Editor: Interesting. The Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for next Monday should shed more light on how the member states will respond to Borrell’s proposal. What do you anticipate their reactions will be?
Expert: It’s a complex situation. While some member states might support the call for a suspension of political dialogue, others may hesitate, fearing that it could exacerbate tensions in the region. Countries with strong ties to Israel may be less inclined to support such a drastic measure. The outcome will heavily depend on the diplomatic dynamics at play among the members during the meeting.
Editor: In light of international reactions and the EU’s position, what could be the potential implications of this proposal if implemented?
Expert: Should the EU decide to suspend dialogue, it could indicate a significant shift in how Europe approaches its foreign policy regarding Israel. This could strain relations not only between the EU and Israel but could also affect Israel’s diplomatic ties with other global players who may view the EU’s stance as a precedent. Additionally, it might encourage other countries to take similar actions if they perceive the EU’s approach as setting a moral standard for compliance with international law.
Editor: That’s a great point. Lastly, how do you see this evolving in the future? Will this be a turning point for EU foreign policy in the region?
Expert: It’s quite possible. The EU has struggled with a cohesive strategy regarding Israel and Palestine for years. If Borrell’s proposal leads to a more unified approach among member states, it could indeed mark a turning point. However, achieving consensus will be challenging, and the political landscape is ever-changing. The upcoming discussions will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of this relationship.
Editor: Thank you for your insights. This situation is certainly evolving, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the outcomes of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting next week.
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s imperative to follow these developments closely, as they could have wider implications globally.