On Monday, the Portuguese Government expressed its opposition to a proposal from EU foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, suggesting the suspension of political dialogue with Israel due to the ongoing attacks in Gaza. The government emphasized that this is “not the ideal moment” for such a move.
The stance was articulated in Brussels by Secretary of State for European Affairs, Inês Domingos, who highlighted both “substantive reasons” and “timing considerations.” Lisbon views dialogue as a beneficial avenue, especially given the current transition within the EU executive.
“At this moment, we believe it is important to maintain the political dialogue,” Domingos stated.
After a Foreign Affairs Council meeting where Borrell proposed the suspension of political dialogue with Israel—an initiative that did not gain support—Domingos indicated that Portugal’s position remains steadfast. She reminded that Portugal continues to engage in political dialogue even with governments it disagrees with, maintaining diplomatic representation when necessary.
“In the context of the Middle East, Portugal has adopted a balanced approach, condemning certain actions by the Israeli government while also advocating for the benefits of ongoing political dialogue. This dialogue allows for the possibility of influencing the positions of all parties involved,” she added.
Upon his arrival in Brussels, Borrell argued for increased pressure on Israel, suggesting the suspension of political dialogue as a means to push for an end to the war with Hamas in Gaza, stating he sees no current “possibility of it happening.”
Borrell expressed deep concern over the situation in Gaza, citing that, according to the United Nations (UN), the conflict has resulted in approximately 44,000 deaths, predominantly among women and children, and has severely damaged much of the region’s infrastructure.
During discussions among EU foreign ministers regarding Borrell’s proposal to suspend political dialogue with Israel, the divisive nature of the issue among the 27 member states hindered consensus.
Despite this, Borrell fulfilled his commitment to raise the matter at what was his final meeting of foreign ministers before transitioning leadership to Estonia’s Kaja Kallas. Reports from various international organizations indicate possible violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by Israel during its operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
The EU’s political dialogue with Israel is established under the association framework between Brussels and Tel Aviv. However, the proposal to suspend dialogue does not equate to suspending the association agreement or the Association Council with Israel.
The conflict initiated by Israel against Hamas in Gaza, following a terrorist attack by the group on October 7, 2023, continues to pose a threat of escalation throughout the Middle East. As reported by the UN, the war has resulted in at least 43,736 deaths (almost 2% of Gaza’s population), including over 17,000 children, as well as 103,370 injuries and more than 10,000 individuals reported missing.
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