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

Stellantis Recalls Vehicles in 2026 Due to Power Steering Defect

Stellantis Recalls Vehicles in 2026 Due to Power Steering Defect

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States, June 9 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Power steering defect concerns are at the center of a major vehicle recall affecting more than one million vehicles in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall, announced by Stellantis, has prompted regulators and vehicle owners to focus on steering system safety and the po

Read More

Macron Invites Saudi Crown Prince and Qatari Emir for Middle East Crisis Talks at G7

Macron Invites Saudi Crown Prince and Qatari Emir for Middle East Crisis Talks at G7

Two Gulf leaders have been invited to talks next Tuesday to secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for maritime traffic. Renewed strikes between Israel and Iran, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to respond to Tehran’s shooting down of an American helicopter, have heightened fears of renewed hostilities. Nonetheless, Trump stated earlier Tuesday that a deal to end the war

Read More

Brussels Energy Week Tests Europe’s Clean Power Promise

Brussels Energy Week Tests Europe’s Clean Power Promise

European Sustainable Energy Week opens as policymakers face harder questions on grids, affordability and public trust
European Sustainable Energy Week commenced both in Brussels and online on 9 June, delivering a more focused message than previous years. The transition to clean energy in Europe now serves as a test of security, competitiveness, and social fairness, beyond just a climate target.

Read More

EU to Hold Summit Following Trump’s Tariff Announcement on Greenland

EU to Hold Summit Following Trump’s Tariff Announcement on Greenland

Brussels (dpa) – European Council President António Costa is set to organize a special summit in response to US President Donald Trump‘s recent tariff threats related to the Greenland issue, with Thursday being a potential date for the meeting, according to an EU official on Sunday.
Although the date is yet to be finalized, it is certain that a summit will occur.
Costa noted that discussions with

Read More

Brussels Aims to Make Europe ‘Smokefree’ – European Parliament Already Has a Plan

Brussels Aims to Make Europe ‘Smokefree’ – European Parliament Already Has a Plan

Brussels’ target to make Europe ‘smokefree’ by 2040 is faltering. High taxes, messy regulations, and a booming market for illegal cigarettes are undermining Europe’s anti-smoking efforts. Lately, though, the European Parliament has begun claiming smokefree successes and falling smoking rates. Has Brussels finally found a route to making its smokefree dream a reality?
For a population to be consi

Read More

Législatives 2027 : l’autre élection capitale

Législatives 2027 : l’autre élection capitale

Et si le futur chef de l’État échouait à obtenir une majorité à l’Assemblée ? La division tripartite de la scène politique va-t-elle perdurer ? Pourquoi les élections législatives préoccupent-elles déjà tous les états-majors politiques ? Anthony Lattier échange avec Elisa Bertholomey et Jason Wiels dans Playbook Paris, le podcast de POLITICO.

Read More

EU Considers ‘Trade Bazooka’ as Tensions Rise Over US Greenland Tariffs

EU Considers ‘Trade Bazooka’ as Tensions Rise Over US Greenland Tariffs

Countries within the European Union are rapidly seeking a unified approach in response to US President Donald Trump‘s threat to implement an additional 10-percent tariff on goods from several European nations starting February 1.
EU leaders are scheduled to gather in Brussels on Thursday following Trump’s warning that eight European nations would encounter increased tariffs until the U

Read More

EU Steel Shield Passes Final Hurdle Ahead of July Launch

EU Steel Shield Passes Final Hurdle Ahead of July Launch

New import quotas and higher duties to replace EU’s expiring steel safeguards on 1 July
The European Union has finalized new steel market protection rules, enhancing its trade defence system just weeks before current safeguards expire. The measures include tighter tariff-free import quotas, increased duties on excess imports, and stricter origin-tracing requirements, aiming to protect the steel

Read More

Roche Upholds German Investment Plans Amid Global Pharmaceutical Market Attention

Roche Upholds German Investment Plans Amid Global Pharmaceutical Market Attention

BERLIN, Germany, June 9 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Global pharmaceutical market developments are drawing attention after Roche reaffirmed its commitment to investment projects in Germany despite spending adjustments announced elsewhere in the healthcare sector. The decision has been viewed by industry observers as a sign of confidence in Europe’s largest pharmaceutical economy and in the long-term o

Read More

Thousands of Farmers Demonstrate Against Mercosur Deal Outside EU Parliament

Thousands of Farmers Demonstrate Against Mercosur Deal Outside EU Parliament

Strasbourg, France – On Tuesday, thousands of European farmers gathered in Strasbourg to protest the European Union’s free trade agreement with the Latin American Mercosur bloc.
Local officials reported approximately 5,000 protesters and several hundred tractors participated in the demonstration, coinciding with a plenary session of the European Parliament taking place that week.
EU lawmake

Read More