EU Urged to Rethink Israel Relations Amid Gaza Onslaught
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The European Union needs to reconsider its relationship with Israel as the death toll rises in Gaza and the West Bank, and sanctions should be imposed on certain Israeli ministers accused of inciting racial hatred, Ireland and the EU's top diplomat stated.
At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday, Ireland’s foreign minister accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians alongside Hamas militants in the military campaign it initiated nearly 11 months ago, AP reported.
“This is a war against Palestinians, not just against Hamas. The level of civilian casualties and deaths is unconscionable,” Micheal Martin told reporters. “It’s a war on the population. No point in trying to fudge this.”
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, according to local health officials, displaced 90% of the population, and destroyed its main cities. Hamas has lost thousands of fighters and much of its militant infrastructure.
Martin highlighted a legal opinion from the International Court of Justice declaring Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank unlawful, which he said obligates the EU to act. The Palestinians have called it “a watershed moment for Palestine, for justice and for international law.”
“It cannot be business as usual,” Martin emphasized. “It is very clear to us that international humanitarian law has been broken.”
The EU’s relationship with Israel, a significant trading partner, is governed by an Association Agreement. Ireland and Spain have urged their EU partners to investigate whether Israel has violated the terms of this agreement.
While the EU is the leading provider of aid to the Palestinians, it holds limited influence over Israel due to deep divisions among its 27 member states. Austria, Germany, and Hungary are strong supporters of Israel, while Ireland and Spain are more vocal in their support for the Palestinians. Nonetheless, the EU's credibility as a project founded on peace remains significant.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, supported by Ireland, called on the ministers to consider imposing sanctions on specific members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Cabinet for their remarks on the Gaza war.
“Some Israeli ministers have been launching hateful messages, unacceptable hateful messages, against the Palestinians and proposing actions that clearly violate international law and incite further crimes,” Borrell said.
Borrell did not specify the ministers, but earlier this month he criticized Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for suggesting that the starvation of Gaza’s population of over 2 million people “might be just and moral” until hostages taken in the October 7 attack are released.
Borrell stressed that “no taboos” should prevent the EU from ensuring respect for international humanitarian law.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not take a definitive position, stating only that each situation should be evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis to determine “what are the allegations? Are these allegations sufficient to list for sanctions?”
She emphasized that any decision to impose sanctions would require unanimous support.
After the meeting, Borrell acknowledged that the proposal did not receive unanimous backing, but he indicated that technical preparations for sanctions have begun, should the EU eventually agree. “The ministers will decide, it’s up to them as always, but the process has been launched,” he told reporters.
Borrell also announced plans for a high-level meeting on the war at the UN General Assembly next month, with participation from Arab countries and the United States.
