- Josep Borrell has accused the EU of complicity in Israeli war crimes due to its inaction on human rights violations in Gaza.
- The EU’s strong response to Russia’s aggression contrasts with its passivity in the Gaza conflict, damaging its credibility.
- Failure to act has prevented the EU from upholding commitments to human rights and international law, undermining its global standing.
- Gaza faces a dire situation with over 60,000 deaths and insufficient aid, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions.
- Borrell urges immediate EU sanctions on Israel to stop crimes against humanity and preserve the EU’s moral authority.
Josep Borrell, European Union’s former top diplomat, has accused the bloc of being complicit in Israeli war crimes due to its inaction in the face of “massive human rights violations” in Gaza.
Borrell’s remarks, made in a recent interview, highlight the EU’s reluctance to hold Israel accountable despite clear evidence of transgressions that surpass those the bloc has condemned in other contexts. During his tenure as the EU’s high representative, Borrell made concerted efforts to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalating violations of international law in the West Bank.
However, his attempts were met with resistance from EU member states, which have consistently failed to utilize the diplomatic and economic tools at their disposal to pressure the Israeli government. This inaction has persisted for more than a year, leaving the EU unable to uphold its commitment to fundamental human rights, international law and the two-state solution.
The stark contrast between the EU’s firm response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its passivity in the face of the Gaza conflict has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that this double standard has not only damaged the EU’s geopolitical standing but has also been exploited by adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin to undermine the bloc’s credibility. (Related: Slovenia becomes first EU nation to impose arms embargo on Israel over Gaza assault.)
Borrell highlights the cost of complicity
Borrell emphasizes that the EU’s inaction has serious consequences. By not suspending the association agreement with Israel, despite its clear violations, the EU is effectively turning a blind eye to illegal settlement activities.
The failure to block arms deliveries to Israel, despite evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, further compounds the issue.
Additionally, the EU has not banned imports from illegal settlements, despite rulings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), nor has it sanctioned Israeli ministers and political leaders who make genocidal statements.
The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been ignored, with the EU failing to ban him from using European airspace.
Furthermore, the EU has not supported judges of the court and United Nations (UN) officials sanctioned by the United States for their stance on the conflict. This persistent inaction, Borrell argues, is not only discrediting the EU in the eyes of the world but also undermining the international law and multilateral order it is supposed to defend.
The situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic proportions. Since the Oct 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed an estimated 1,139 people and took over 200 hostages, Israel has launched a military operation in the enclave.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 60,933, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel has also been accused of obstructing humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of the population. The UN has warned that 28 children are dying daily due to Israeli bombardment and lack of aid.
Despite Israel easing some restrictions on July 27, allowing an average of 84 trucks to enter Gaza daily, aid organizations stress that at least 600 trucks are needed to meet the territory’s basic needs.
A growing call for sanctions
Many EU member states are reluctant to impose sanctions on Israel, even as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.
According to the diplomat, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has played a role in stalling the process. She has refused to put the issue of sanctions on the agenda and has prevented an open debate within the commission.
The EU’s response to the conflict has been described as a “bad joke” by Borrell, who notes that the sanctions considered by Brussels against Tel Aviv are minimal compared to the thousands sanctioned in Russia for less severe offenses. He emphasizes that the situation in Gaza is an example of “horrors” that are “greater than others,” and that further inaction could cost the EU its international image and reputation.
Borrell’s call for the EU to finally decide to sanction Israel without further delay is a plea for the bloc to take a stand. He believes that this is the only language that can bring Israeli leaders to stop committing crimes against humanity.
The EU’s credibility and moral authority are at stake, and the time to act is now. As the conflict continues to unfold, the leaders of the EU and its member states may be called to account in the future for their complicity in the crimes against humanity committed by Netanyahu’s government.
Watch the full video below of “Brighteon Broadcast News” with the Health Ranger Mike Adams about the U.S. Deparment of Homeland Security blocking disaster aid to Democrat-run cities that reject Israel’s ethnic cleansing.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Denial of hunger in Gaza: A deepening crisis amid international outcry.
French NGOs file complaints against pro-Israel groups for complicity in Gaza genocide.
UNICEF: Extensive Israeli bombings in Lebanon have affected thousands of children.
Sources include:
RT.com
TheGuardian.com
EUObserver.com
Aljazeera.com
Brighteon.com
Read full article here