• EU fails to agree to pause talks with Israel over Gaza
• The proposed suspension of talks needed the support of all 27 member states
• Borrell proposed the suspension citing alleged human rights violations and war crimes

EU fails to agree to pause talks with Israel over Gaza

The European Union has opted not to suspend its political dialogue with Israel after failing to reach a unanimous agreement at a Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday.  

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed the suspension, citing alleged human rights violations and breaches of international law by Israel in Gaza. However, the measure required the support of all 27 member states and did not achieve consensus.  

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos described the outcome as predictable, suggesting the timing of the proposal was questionable. “It is questionable whether the timing was right for such a debate, given that the lack of unanimity among ministers was quite predictable and reinforces the perception of divisions within the EU. When there are indications that such a proposal will not have a positive outcome, we must consider the impact this will have on other key stakeholders,” he told Euronews.

According to analysts, Josep Borrell put the issue on the table despite knowing it would fail, partly because he was trying to leave his mark before a new European Commission takes office.

“I think that to an extent this a new initiative that comes out of the of months of political frustration that not only the High Representative but also some member states feel, Europe has been unable to take a clear stand vis-a-vis this conflict,” said Maria Luisa Frantappie, Head of the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa Programme at Instituto Affari Internazionali.

“This will be the last Council of Foreign Ministers for Borrell, who is set to end his mandate. So, I think that this is also an attempt from him to leave a mark and a positive legacy,” she concluded.