EU’s Josep Borrell Urges Increased Pressure on Israel and Hamas

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.

How does Josep Borrell plan to address human rights concerns?What is the significance of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?

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”

  1. Spoiler Betty Avatar
    Spoiler Betty

    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!

  2. NightDream Avatar

    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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

The EU Must Take Action on Harmful Ultra-Processed Foods

The EU Must Take Action on Harmful Ultra-Processed Foods

A new study published on 21 July has once again highlighted the threat posed to public health by ultra-processed foods. (UPFs). UPFs are commonly understood to be products that are created in an industrial environment and are derived from ingredients and additives that you would not usually use in home cooking. The research, published by Frontiers in Nutrition, found that in Brazilian adults age

Read More

Glasgow Prioritizes Para Sport

Glasgow Prioritizes Para Sport

The Commonwealth Games’ opening gold medal sent a powerful message about inclusion, compact hosting, and the public value of sport. On the first day of competition, Para powerlifting took center stage. This deliberate choice turned the first gold medal into more than just a sporting result. England’s Mark Swan claimed the men’s lightweight title, emphasizing the visibility of modern multi-sport e

Read More

Merz’ neue Machtzentrale — mit Miriam Hollstein

Merz’ neue Machtzentrale — mit Miriam Hollstein

Jens Spahns unerwarteter Rücktritt verursacht bedeutende Personalveränderungen in der CDU. Rixa Fürsen diskutiert mit Miriam Hollstein von BILD den Umbau der Parteispitze, von Nina Warken im Kanzleramt bis zu Carsten Linnemann im Gesundheitsministerium.
Thema sind auch Fritz Güntzlers nächtlicher Rücktritt per SMS aus dem Verkehrsressort und die unsichere Zukunft von Wirtschaftsministerin Katherin

Read More

Europe Confronts Stagnation Crisis Triggered by Maritime Energy Surge

Europe Confronts Stagnation Crisis Triggered by Maritime Energy Surge

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Read More

Cryptoarchaeology

Cryptoarchaeology

Amidst the fluctuations of cryptocurrency markets, a novel occupation has quietly emerged in the tech realm—digital archaeologists. These professionals, including software engineers, cybersecurity experts, and codebreakers, focus on retrieving or unlocking billions in bitcoins lost at the dawn of digital currency.
Recent blockchain analysis reveals about 20% of all bitcoins are irretrievably los

Read More

China Retaliates Against EU Sanctions on Defense and Tech Firms

China Retaliates Against EU Sanctions on Defense and Tech Firms

BRUSSELS — China announced it will impose export restrictions on 14 EU defense and technology companies following the EU’s addition of 14 Chinese businesses to its Russia sanctions lists.
This represents Beijing’s most direct and forceful reaction to EU sanctions listings, which it condemned as “egregious.” Recent studies estimate that up to 90 percent of sanctioned goods reaching Russia are

Read More

Consumer Finance Policy Spotlight as CFPB Nominee Considers Workforce Plans

Consumer Finance Policy Spotlight as CFPB Nominee Considers Workforce Plans

Washington, D.C., July 23 Eurotoday Newspaper — Trump consumer finance policy returned to the center of attention after President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) told senators he would keep an open mind on proposals to significantly reduce the agency’s workforce. During his Senate confirmation hearing, the nominee said any staffing decisions would b

Read More

Brussels Warns Google

Brussels Warns Google

The European Commission has imposed a €890 million fine on Google for violating the Digital Markets Act, accusing the tech giant of leveraging its search and app distribution dominance to favor its own services. This decision marks a significant step in enforcing the EU’s gatekeeper rules, aimed at preventing leading platforms from exploiting their control over key digital channels to gain

Read More

Nina Warken Appointed Chancellery Chief by Merz in Cabinet Reshuffle

Nina Warken Appointed Chancellery Chief by Merz in Cabinet Reshuffle

“She is assertive and knowledgeable in security policy matters, which are coordinated here,” Merz remarked about Warken. “She will be my most crucial support in daily government work and my main contact,” the chancellor stated on Friday.
Carsten Linnemann, the CDU’s secretary general, will succeed Warken as health minister.
Philipp Amthor, the state secretary in the digital

Read More

UK Defence Preparedness Highlighted Following Iran’s Warning on US Bombers

UK Defence Preparedness Highlighted Following Iran’s Warning on US Bombers

London, July 23 Eurotoday Newspaper — UK defence readiness has come under renewed attention after the British government confirmed its armed forces are prepared to defend the country following an Iranian warning related to US bomber deployments in the Middle East. Officials said the UK continues to monitor the security situation closely while working with NATO allies to protect national interest

Read More