Former EU Foreign Policy Chief Slams Bloc's Failure To Act On Israel's Human Rights Violations
"@EUCouncil failed yesterday to take a decision on Israel's violation of the Association Agreement's Human Rights clause. But this is in itself a decision: not to punish Israel's continued war crimes and allow the genocide in Gaza to continue unabated," Josep Borrell wrote on X on Wednesday.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs political and economic ties between the two parties, includes a binding clause requiring respect for human rights and democratic principles. Failure to comply with this clause can lead to sanctions or suspension of the agreement.
bootstrap slideshow
EU foreign ministers met on Monday and Tuesday to discuss growing concerns over Israel's attacks in Gaza, amid mounting civilian casualties and international calls for accountability. However, member states were unable to reach a consensus, resulting in no formal decision to suspend the agreement or impose sanctions.
Borrell, who concluded his term as the EU's top diplomat last year, has been a vocal critic of Israel's attacks and has previously called for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which gives Tel Aviv preferential trade terms.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since late October 2023, killing over 58,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and the spread of diseases.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
33 minutes ago
- Barnama
Turath Islami Festival - Selangor's Initiative To Deepen Religious Understanding Of Legacy Inherited By Muslim Community
SHAH ALAM, July 18 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Islamic Turath Festival (FTIS) is an effort by the state government to strengthen religious understanding of the rich legacy inherited by the Muslim community, thereby deepening the faith of Muslims and promoting a more balanced and resilient society. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that through the proper method of studying and teaching the turath (Islamic heritage books), applied over the course of the nine-day festival, coupled with in-depth exploration of diverse fields of knowledge, the state is working to enhance religious understanding as a means of curbing the spread of negative cultural influences. "We are seeking a balance between progress, development, economic dynamism, and the fast pace of modern life, with deep reflection on the turath, so that our inner selves are enriched with religious and life understanding,' he said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
New Zealand seeks ASEAN Halal Council membership via Malaysia
WELLINGTON: New Zealand has formally expressed interest in becoming an associate member of the ASEAN Halal Council, marking a strategic move to deepen halal industry collaboration with Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the development during his five-day working visit to New Zealand. The proposal was discussed in meetings with New Zealand officials and the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council, highlighted the mutual benefits of this partnership. 'New Zealand's participation will enhance halal standard alignment and expand market opportunities for certified products,' he said. A key outcome of the talks includes New Zealand's agreement to leverage Malaysia as a distribution hub for its halal products in ASEAN and traditional markets. 'Malaysia's established trade networks position us as an ideal gateway,' Ahmad Zahid added. New Zealand has also committed to participating in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in September, joining business matching sessions with Malaysian and international industry players. The visit, attended by Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki, emphasized strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, and halal sector growth. - Bernama
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Doctors Without Borders slams EU's 'hypocrisy' over Gaza
According to MSF, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict, including 12 of its own staff members. 18 Jul 2025 10:05am This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing during an Israeli strike on the besieged Palestinian territory on July 17, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) GENEVA - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Thursday sharply criticised the EU for its continued failure to act decisively to stop what the organisation calls "orchestrated ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, accusing the bloc of complicity in the face of deliberate mass suffering. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), in a post on X, the MSF said it had sent an open letter to EU leaders nearly a month earlier, on June 16, urging immediate action to stop the mass atrocities unfolding in the Palestinian enclave. Palestinians queue near their containers as they await a water distribution truck at a makeshift displacement tent camp which was hit in Israeli strikes a day earlier, at the UNRWA-run Abou Helou school for girls at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on July 17, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) "The EU can and must act now to stop mass atrocities in Gaza," it wrote. "Yet, amid EU member states' inaction, orchestrated ethnic cleansing in Gaza continues." According to MSF, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict, including 12 of its own staff members. The group said the most recent MSF staffer was killed on July 3 while attempting to retrieve a bag of flour. "The human carnage and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza are deliberate. Humanitarian aid is weaponised and blocked. Healthcare services are targeted daily," the organisation stated. MSF also condemned the EU Foreign Affairs Council's latest conclusions, adopted on Tuesday, calling them "yet another sign of the unwillingness to exert pressure on Israel to stop the genocide in Gaza." "Once again, the EU demonstrated hypocrisy and shocking double standards when it comes to protecting civilians and ensuring the respect of international humanitarian law," it said. Calling on the EU to "turn its words into actions and to end its double standards," MSF concluded by emphasising the legal and moral responsibilities of all states to stop the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. "Every state has a moral and legal responsibility to recognise and stop the ongoing atrocities in Gaza," it wrote. The letter was directed at top EU leadership, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. EU foreign ministers met on Monday and Tuesday to discuss growing concerns over Israel's attacks in Gaza, amid mounting civilian casualties and international calls for accountability. However, member states were unable to reach a consensus, resulting in no formal decision to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement or impose sanctions. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU More Like This
