EU’s top diplomat wants Israeli dialogue on Gaza war suspended – News

The outgoing EU foreign policy chief has urged the bloc to suspend political dialogue with Israel over human rights issues in Gaza, but the move is likely to be vetoed, diplomats said on Thursday.

Josep Borrell put forward his proposal at a meeting of ambassadors on Wednesday, four diplomats involved said, and is expected to formalize it when European Union foreign ministers meet in Brussels early next week.

The foreign policy chief has written to member states asking them to suspend the EU’s political dialogue with Israel – part of a wider deal on trade relations – “over alleged abuses” in the Gaza conflict, a diplomat said.

“It forces people to talk about the issues,” the diplomat said, adding that “the widespread expectation is that no agreement will be reached” – given that EU foreign policy decisions require unanimity among the 27 Member States require.

Borrell’s proposal, which was made “without any prior warning”, “came as a complete surprise”, according to a second diplomat who confirmed that it was “immediately objected to by a large group of Member States”.

Key powers Germany and Italy were among the countries said to have raised objections, along with the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Greece.

Two other diplomats confirmed Borrell’s proposal – formulated as he prepared to hand over to his designated successor Kaja Kallas next month – without providing details.

EU countries – which include both staunch allies of Israel and staunch supporters of the Palestinians – have fought for a united position on the Gaza war.