Borrell suggests EU member states suspend political dialogue with Israel

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has proposed that the bloc suspend a political dialogue with Israel, citing possible human rights violations in the war in Gaza, according to four diplomats and a letter seen by Reuters.

In the letter sent on Wednesday to EU foreign ministers ahead of their meeting this coming Monday, Borrell cited "serious concerns about possible breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza" and said "thus far, these concerns have not been sufficiently addressed by Israel."

The political dialogue is enshrined in a broader agreement on relations between the EU and Israel, including extensive trade ties, that entered into force in June 2000.

"In light of the above considerations, I will be tabling a proposal that the EU should invoke the human rights clause to suspend the political dialogue with Israel," Borrell wrote.

A suspension would need approval from all 27 EU countries, which the diplomats said was very unlikely. Multiple countries objected when a senior EU official briefed ambassadors in Brussels on the proposal on Wednesday, said three of the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Borrell's proposal is intended to send a strong signal of concern about Israel's conduct in the war, one diplomat said.

It will be discussed at the foreign ministers' meeting, the last he will chair before ending his five-year term.

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