“History will judge us all. I have done what I had to do.” Thus concludes Josep Borrell the one that has been his last Foreign Affairs Council as head of European diplomacy. The latest proposal of the Spanish socialist to break the political and diplomatic dialogue with Israel for his genocide in Gaza It fails, as expected due to the opposition of the European allies of the Jewish State.
With his request to stop dialogue with Israel, Borrell puts the finishing touch to his legacy as one of the voices that has most confronted the actions of the ranks led by the ultra Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza, West Bank either Lebanon. But he himself knew that his initiative was a toast to the sun, a siren song. “Most countries consider it necessary to maintain diplomatic contact with Israel. The majority believes that it is better to have political and diplomatic relations,” he acknowledged. “It is the decision and criteria of the Member States (which need unanimity) and they can only respect it,” he concluded.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs recalled that since 2012 the dialogue with Israel was frozen. Meetings in the Association Council – the forum in which Brussels and Tel Aviv address their bilateral relations – had not been celebrated for a decade. “It was I who took them back. It doesn’t seem like anyone missed them at that time,” he acknowledged with resignation at a press conference.
Federica Mogherini In 2014, he assumed the reins of European diplomacy with the priority objective of consummating the creation of the two States. A baton that Borrell picked up in 2019, who in the final stretch came across the war in Gaza. The Palestine that Borrell leaves, however, is in danger of extinction. The Israeli Government and the new Trump Administration They are already conspiring for the annexation of the West Bank.
If the established schedule is met, the new European Commission will begin filming on December 1. The Estonian Kaja Kallaswho did not mention Gaza in her examination before the European Parliament last week, will be the new High Representative.
Everything indicates that the hornet’s nest that is Middle East or the continued violations of the human rights and International Law committed by the Hebrew State are not among the priorities of its strategic compass. “I am sure that my successor will devote all her attention to all the conflicts,” Borrell responded when asked about it.
No consequences for Israel
Spain and Ireland sent a letter in February asking the European Commission to urgently review Israel’s compliance with the Association Agreement, which includes a respect for human rights clause. nine months, Ursula von der Leyen He continues without answering it and there is nothing to indicate that he will do so.
Furthermore, the EU also does not take any decision to prohibit the import of products manufactured in the occupied territories despite the fact that a few months ago the International Court of Justice ruled in a historic ruling that the settlements were illegal and required their immediate end. Nor do they advance the idea of expanding sanctions to the settlers responsible for the extreme violence in the West Bank.
Borrell: “It is a war against children”
All despite the fact that Borrell himself has recalled that 70% of those killed in Gaza are women and children“most under 5 years old.” “It is a war against children,” says the outgoing High Representative to whom Netherlands shortly before starting the meeting of ministers in Brussels of “taking a 180 degree turn.” “We must keep the door to dialogue open,” defended the Dutch Foreign Minister in line with the position they defend. Austria, Czechia, Germany either Hungarywhich have paralyzed any action that would entail consequences – even if they were merely symbolic – with the Israeli government.
“We have a single compass, which is the defense of international law and international humanitarian law. What we see is that they are increasingly violated,” said the Belgian. Hadja Lahbibone of the few voices critical of the Israelis.
The last attack of Russia against Ukraine, the most violent in recent months, and the decision of the Biden Administration lifting the veto for the Ukrainians to use long-range missiles against targets on Russian soil have been the other issues at the top of the Foreign Council’s agenda.
When 1000 days of the beginning of the Russian invasion are commemorated, Borrell affirms that “Putin does not want to negotiate, but rather escalate the war to achieve his objectives: conquer, occupy and subjugate Ukraine, an EU candidate.“. Different sensitivities continue among European countries regarding restrictions on the use of weapons donated by the West in Russian territory.
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