The outgoing High Representative of the European Union for the common foreign and security policy, Giuseppe Borrell, suggested that Brussels proceed with the suspension of political dialogue with Israel, amid criticism of systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in war it has been waging against Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, according to several European diplomatic sources and a letter from him obtained by the Reuters news agency.

His letter is addressed to the 27 foreign ministers ahead of their upcoming council on Monday (18 November). In it, Mr Borrell refers to “serious concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza”, to which there have been “adequate” responses from the Israeli government.

Political dialogue was provided for in the wider EU-Israel Association Agreement, which entered into force in June 2000.

Mr Borrell states in the letter that he will propose to the Council of Ministers that the EU “invoke the human rights clause in order to suspend the political dialogue with Israel”.

In order to take such a measure, a unanimous decision of the 27 would be required, which diplomatic sources described as unlikely. Several member state ambassadors raised objections when they were told of the proposal yesterday, according to three of Reuters’ diplomatic sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Mr Borrell’s proposal is intended to send a clear message from Brussels to the Israeli government about the EU’s concern about the way it is conducting the war, according to one of the diplomatic sources. It will be tabled at the last foreign affairs council chaired by Giuseppe Borrell before the end of his five-year term.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted last week that nearly 70% of the war’s victims have been verified to be women and children, condemning what it called systematic violations of fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Israel rejected the accusation.

The EU is finding it very difficult to draw a clear and unified line on the war in the Gaza Strip. Some member states, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, strongly support Israel, while others, such as Spain and Ireland, strongly criticize the way the war is being waged and support the Palestinian cause.

One of Reuters’ diplomatic sources said the “lack of process and preparation” surrounding Mr Borrell’s proposal “stunned” ambassadors when they were informed and the EU was “more divided than ever” over the issue.