The EU’s top diplomat wants Israeli dialogue on the Gaza war to be suspended

BRUSSELS: The EU’s outgoing foreign policy chief has urged the bloc to suspend political dialogue with Israel over human rights issues in Gaza.

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 “came as a complete surprise,” said 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.

The 2000 EU-Israel Association Agreement governing bilateral relations contains legally binding provisions on human rights, which Borrell hopes to invoke to suspend political dialogue.

The EU formally invited Israel in June to discuss ties under the deal in the context of the Gaza conflict, but no meeting took place due to a lack of agreement on an agenda.

Spain and Ireland – which recognized a Palestinian state earlier this year – have called on the EU to review the entire association agreement over Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

The war broke out with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 1,206 dead.

The Israeli war on Gaza has killed 43,665 people, according to figures from the Israeli Ministry of Health, which the UN considers reliable.