European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday will discuss cutting off the bloc’s diplomatic dialogue with Israel, as proposed by foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Ahead of the meeting, Borrell said such a move would be aimed at putting pressure on the Israeli government after it ignored several calls to adhere to international law in the war in the Gaza Strip.

“Many people have tried to stop the war in Gaza… this has not happened yet. And I see no hope of that happening. That’s why we have to put pressure on the Israeli government and obviously on the Hamas side,” Borrell told reporters ahead of the talks.

The proposal, seen as a chance to sever Borrell before he leaves office, is widely seen as unlikely to be accepted by ministers, who are expected to be unanimous in their decision.

Resistance to the proposal

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has already said he disagrees with the proposal, saying the EU must remain in dialogue with Israel amid wider tensions in the Middle East.

Germany has already declared its opposition, while Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic have so far clearly sided with Israel.

The EU’s political dialogue with Israel is covered by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides for regular exchanges to strengthen the partnership.

However, it also states that relations between the parties are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which Borrell said may not have been respected by Israel.

Spain and Ireland have also suggested that the deal with Israel be revised.

But EU diplomats emphasized that the suspension of the institutional political dialogue does not mean the suspension of the agreement or the Association Council, which deals with the relations between the two parties.

The proposal to ban the import

Borrell also wants to introduce a ban on the import of products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The settlements are illegal under international law.

Also on the agenda for Monday’s meeting is expected to approve new sanctions against Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to use in the war in Ukraine.

Borrell also said before the meeting that he hoped EU members would agree to allow Kiev to strike inside Russia with weapons the bloc has provided.

“I have said time and time again that Ukraine should be able to use the weapons that we have provided, not only to stop the arrows, but also to be able to hit the archers,” Borrell said.

This comes amid reports that US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied missiles to strike deeper into Russia in possible response to Moscow’s deployment of thousands of North Korean troops in its war against his neighbor.

tj/lo (Reuters, dpa)