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

‘All I could do was just wait and pray’: An Oral History of the Brussels Bombings

‘All I could do was just wait and pray’: An Oral History of the Brussels Bombings

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that request.

Read More

VINCI Secures River Infrastructure Construction Project

VINCI Secures River Infrastructure Construction Project

Nanterre, 18 March 2026
VINCI Awarded Contract for River Infrastructure in France

Construction of two new lock gates to enhance river traffic on the Rhône
Collaboration between VINCI Construction and VINCI Energies
€68 million contract

Compagnie Nationale du Rhône has chosen a consortium led by VINCI Construction, including VINCI Energies, to add a second set of downstream gates at the Bollène

Read More

UN chief suggests both sides may be committing war crimes in US-Israel-Iran conflict

UN chief suggests both sides may be committing war crimes in US-Israel-Iran conflict

Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. did not approve Israel’s attack on the South Pars site and accused Israel of reacting violently, casting doubt on U.S. influence over its ally.
“My hope is that the United States will be able to understand that this has gone too far,” Guterres expressed.
According to Guterres, the conflict predominantly benefits Russia, as M

Read More

In Beirut, Guterres Calls for End to Middle East War: Civilians ‘Deserve to Live Without Fear’

In Beirut, Guterres Calls for End to Middle East War: Civilians ‘Deserve to Live Without Fear’

At a Beirut press conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the devastation from US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which has caused significant regional destruction over the past two weeks. He noted Hezbollah’s retaliatory rocket attacks on Israel in support of Tehran led to a “devastating” Israeli bombing campaign, leaving parts of Lebanon “uninhabitable.”
Guterres str

Read More

Starmer’s Government to Delay Mandelson Files Release Until Post-Easter

Starmer’s Government to Delay Mandelson Files Release Until Post-Easter

One main reason, according to three individuals familiar with the discussions (including one previously mentioned), is that Downing Street aims to release most of the remaining messages that MPs requested for disclosure on February 4 in one comprehensive batch, rather than piecemeal.
Retrieval efforts have been ongoing, with some of the raw messages involving Mandelson — particularly from WhatsApp

Read More

Father’s Day in Europe: Traditions, Change, and Meaning

Father’s Day in Europe: Traditions, Change, and Meaning

Father’s Day, celebrated today in parts of Europe and at various times elsewhere, is an opportunity to express gratitude and to consider the evolving nature of fatherhood in societies influenced by tradition, policy, and changing family dynamics.
In countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy, families celebrate Father’s Day on March 19, linked to the feast of Saint Joseph. During this day, handmad

Read More

France and Germany Offer Final Opportunity for Next-Gen Fighter Program

France and Germany Offer Final Opportunity for Next-Gen Fighter Program

A German official informed reporters: “Germany and France have agreed to a final mediation effort between the industries, to be facilitated by experts. With the upcoming decisions on the federal budget, a resolution must be achieved by mid-April.”
FCAS, also involving Spain, aims to replace Germany’s Eurofighter and France’s Rafale jets by around 2040. The program encompasses a warplan

Read More

Budapest Interfaith Dialogue Explores Ethics, Faith, and Social Media

Budapest Interfaith Dialogue Explores Ethics, Faith, and Social Media

An interfaith discussion at the Church of Scientology in Budapest on March 11 examined the role of faith communities in addressing online hate and restoring credibility through conduct, resonating with concepts from “The Way to Happiness.” The event, titled “A Vision in an Age of Hate: How Can We Make Faith Cool Again?” brought together theologians and religious leaders to

Read More

Myanmar at a ‘Crossroads’: The World Must Not Forsake Civilians There, Urges UN Expert

Myanmar at a ‘Crossroads’: The World Must Not Forsake Civilians There, Urges UN Expert

In his final report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Tom Andrews, the outgoing Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, called on governments to renew their commitment to protecting civilians and supporting the country’s struggling population. He highlighted the challenging geopolitical climate affecting human rights progress in Myanmar and worldwide, noting that the UN and its founding principles

Read More

Time for a High-Stakes Summit

Time for a High-Stakes Summit

EU leaders convene in Brussels for a crucial summit, with Viktor Orbán once again central to the debate on funding Ukraine. As tensions rise, the major question is whether the Hungarian prime minister will maintain his stance or yield under pressure from fellow leaders.
Simultaneously, disagreements arise over Europe’s response to the war in Iran — spanning approaches to tackle rising energy

Read More