European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has proposed halting political dialogue with Israel over alleged human rights abuses and violations of international law in Gaza, a move that is expected to face strong opposition from several EU member states.
The proposal, initially brought up during a recent meeting of EU ambassadors, is set to be formally presented at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The suspension would require unanimous agreement among member states, but fierce resistance from countries including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece suggests the plan will likely be blocked.
According to EU officials, Borrell’s proposal may serve more as a political signal, intended to encourage member states to clarify their stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. An official suggested that this initiative seeks to underline EU concerns over human rights in the Israel-Gaza conflict and to pressure Israel for an explanation regarding its military operations. The proposal draws on the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which includes legally binding commitments on human rights.
The idea of reviewing EU-Israel relations over Gaza-related concerns was first raised by Spain and Ireland earlier this year but faced resistance from other member states and was not acted upon by the European Commission. With the conflict escalating, calls for scrutiny have intensified, especially as reports highlight severe casualties in Gaza and restricted humanitarian aid access, which has drawn international criticism of Israel’s response in the conflict.