Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell an “anti-Semitic” who said he was “shocked” after the death of UN workers in an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip.

“Joseph Borrell is an anti-Semite and a critic of Israel who constantly tries to pass resolutions and sanctions against Israel within the EU, until he is blocked by most member states,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement.

On Thursday, Borel condemned “the violation of fundamental principles of international humanitarian law” after 18 people were killed Wednesday in an Israeli bombardment of a school in the Gaza Strip that had been turned into a human shelter, according to Civil Protection.

Among the victims were six members of the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA).

The Israeli strike destroyed part of a facility managed by UNRWA.

The Israeli military, for its part, announced that its air force “carried out a precision strike on terrorists operating” inside the school and had taken steps to reduce the risks to civilians.

The military today named nine men it said were members of Hamas killed in the bombing in Nuseirat, including three UNRWA workers.

“There is a difference between legitimate criticism and political disagreements, which are normal between friends, and Borel’s campaign of anti-Semitism and hate against Israel, which is reminiscent of the worst anti-Semites in history,” Katz said.

The Israeli strike on the school was the deadliest incident for UNRWA staff since the outbreak of war on 7 October 2023 and drew international condemnation.

UNRWA says at least 220 of its staff have been killed in the war, which was sparked by Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.