The European Union's top diplomat on Monday confirmed he would suggest to members of the bloc that the EU pauses its political dialogue with Israel, citing the country's conduct of the war in Gaza."Many people tried to stop the war in Gaza... this has not happened yet. And I don't see a hope for this to happen. That's why we have to put pressure on the Israeli government, and also, obviously on the Hamas side," Josep Borrell told journalists ahead of an EU meeting.The European Union's foreign policy chief last week proposed that the bloc suspend its political dialogue with Israel, citing possible human rights violations in the war in Gaza, according to four diplomats and a letter seen by Reuters.
He also falsely claimed that 70% of those killed in Gaza were women and children, a ridiculous assertion that even Gaza's health ministry has shown is not close to true.
Since the EU must "obviously" pressure Hamas, what has Borrell and the EU done in that area since October 7 2023?
I can find only one specific and meaningless move: Months after the October attack, the EU added Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa to its terrorist list.
It is astonishing that they weren't on the list beforehand.
I can find nothing else. No moves specifically to sanction Iran or even politically pressure it for arming Hamas and Hezbollah (although there are sanctions against Iran for arming Russia) . No effort to ensure EU aid to Gaza doesn't go to Hamas. No declaring Iran's IRGC to be a terrorist group, as the US and Canada (and Lithuania) have done.
The hypocrisy becomes crystal clear when you realize that while Borrell wants to isolate Israel diplomatically, he and the EU has been increasing efforts to diplomatically engage with Iran.
In April, Borrell spoke to Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and cringingly told hi exactly what Iran wants to hear from the EU. Borrell told him that the EU condemned Israel's airstrike on Iranian and Hezbollah terrorists in Syria, claiming (falsely) that they violated the Vienna Convention because it was inside a compound that included the Iranian embassy - even though it was being used to plan more attacks on Israel.
Following that meeting, Borrell told reporters that "the EU needs to have the best possible relations with Iran."
So Borrell simultaneously supports engagement with Iran, pressuring and isolating Israel and merely pretending to pressure Hamas.
As one EU parliament member said ahead of Borrell's end of term on December 1, “We won’t miss you, Mr. Borrell, but I’m sure the mullahs will.”
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