Brussels (Eurotoday) – The EU’s Josep Borrell emphasised the need to “put pressure on the Israeli administration” and Hamas to attain peace in the region.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on 18 Nov 2024 recalled that measures were made to “stop the war in Gaza,” including by the US, by “putting pressure to free the hostages and to stop the war. This has not occurred yet, and I do not see hope for this to happen. That is why we have to put stress on the Israeli government, also, obviously, on the Hamas side. Both sides have to be put under pressure,” Borrell told journalists before attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council summit in Brussels.
How does Josep Borrell plan to address human rights concerns?
Borrell stated he would offer “a proposal in order to study which are the decisions that could be taken for the compliance with the Association Council (with Israel) from the point of view of human rights, and also which measures can be taken in order to be sure that we satisfy all commitments in order not to trade with the products produced on occupied territories according with the rules of the International Court of Justice.”
What is the significance of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?
Earlier this year, Borrell formally asked the Israeli foreign minister to an ad hoc EU-Israel Association Council session to examine Israel’s compliance with its human rights commitments under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2000, delivers a legal and institutional framework for political dialogue and economic collaboration between the EU and Israel. Article 2 of the agreement states it is based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, described as an “essential element” of the pact.
A few days ago, Josep Borrell also urged to formally discontinue political dialogue with Israel over its unconcern for international law in the Gaza Strip, which requires approval from all 27 EU countries.
Comments
2 responses to “EU’s Josep Borrell Urges Increased Pressure on Israel and Hamas”
-
Ah, the EU’s Josep Borrell, the master of diplomatic nudges, is here to sprinkle some fairy dust of pressure on Israel and Hamas. One must admire his confidence—because nothing says “let’s solve a decades-old conflict” quite like a sternly worded letter from Brussels. If only he could bottle that pressure and sell it as a fine Chianti, we’d all be toasting to peace in no time!
-
Ah, Josep Borrell, the EU’s very own peacemaker, has decided to sprinkle some extra pressure on Israel and Hamas—because clearly, turning up the heat always works wonders in a decades-long conflict. It’s like trying to cook pasta by just yelling at it, isn’t it? With diplomacy at its finest, one can only wonder if the next EU summit will be a culinary lesson in how to boil the ocean.
Last News
La menace Trump plane sur l’accord de libre-échange UE-Mexique
Pour le Mexique, c’est une façon de réduire sa forte dépendance envers l’économie américaine. Cependant, cette dépendance même rend
Concerns Raised About ‘Coercive’ Repatriation of Burundian Refugees from Tanzania
By November 2025, Tanzania hosted over 140,000 Burundian refugees, having fled years of civil unrest in Burundi.
Though many are being “voluntarily repatriated”, a UNHCR official states thousands still require international protection in Tanzania.
About 17,000 express they can’t return due to safety concerns or fears of political persecution, including political opposition memb
New Louvre President Appointed Following Spectacular Heist
Controversial bill ignites debate among Quebec’s religious communities
Key provisions include banning public workers from wearing visible religious symbols like hijabs, turbans, kippahs, and large cros
Iran, Zölle, Europa: Trumps Rede zur Lage der Nation
Unlike von der Leyen, Alain Berset Appoints Envoy to Defend Europe’s Religious Minorities
Council of Europe move targets antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and wider religious intolerance
As hate incidents and polarisation increase across borders, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has linked the protection of religious minorities to the organisation’s core post-war promise of “never again” and its ongoing work on anti-discrimination and democratic resilience. The approa
Trump Gets His Irish Ballroom — If He Can Save a Snail
Next month, Trump is expected to offer praise to Martin for the approval of the Irish ballroom.
Martin’s spokesperson welcomed the decision but emphasized it was a local issue for Clare co
Ukraine: $588 Billion Recovery Cost Projected Over Next 10 Years
As the Russian invasion enters its fifth year on February 24, direct damage has reached over $195 billion, up from $176 billion reported last February.
“This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness and remains a threat to
EU pledges €1B to rebuild Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure
He mentioned that the €920 million would be allocated to “strengthen grids, restore damaged heat and power plants, improve physical protection, and enhance decentralized electricit
UN Human Rights Council Begins 2026 Session in Geneva
Global Human Rights Agenda Mapped at the 61st Regular Session
The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is holding its sixty-first regular session in Geneva from 23 February to 31 March 2026. This session gathers ministers and senior officials during a high-level segment (23–25 February) and features weeks of country debates, expert dialogues, and mandate and resolution votes. Major discussi
Leave a Reply