“You have been warned,” is the message sent to Israel on May 15 by the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy High Representative Borrell. In addition to condemning Hamas’s latest attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing and calling for increased efforts for a ceasefire and the return of the hostages, the message sought to urge Israel to immediately end the military operation in Rafah on the grounds that it harms humanitarian aid and endangers Palestinian lives. “Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EU’s relationship with Israel,” he said without elaborating.
The statement by Borrell, who does not spare his criticism of Israel’s policy and uses every opportunity to express his ongoing frustration, can be dismissed. After all, this is a warning that does not bind EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the Foreign Affairs Council. It must be remembered that Borrell’s call for Israel to refrain from entering Rafah is aligned with that of the UN Secretary General and the United States (which, as I recall, does not rule out entering Rafah as long as a plan is presented to prevent further civilian casualties and damage to humanitarian aid).
Still, if Israel decides to further its incursion into Rafah, resulting in the killing of civilians and damage to the delivery of humanitarian aid, it must be assumed that Borrell will do everything in his power to ensure that his above warning is translated into action. Will the president of the European Commission (who has differences of opinion with Borrell regarding Israel) agree to impose sanctions? Will Borrell succeed in persuading the Foreign Affairs Council to take protest measures due to the ongoing inability to reach a consensus on Israel? This remains to be seen. It can be assumed that Defense Minister Gallant’s criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s conduct will support those who advocate for a more aggressive policy toward Israel, which may manifest in actions—if not at the EU level, then most certainly at the level of individual states.
“You have been warned,” is the message sent to Israel on May 15 by the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy High Representative Borrell. In addition to condemning Hamas’s latest attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing and calling for increased efforts for a ceasefire and the return of the hostages, the message sought to urge Israel to immediately end the military operation in Rafah on the grounds that it harms humanitarian aid and endangers Palestinian lives. “Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EU’s relationship with Israel,” he said without elaborating.
The statement by Borrell, who does not spare his criticism of Israel’s policy and uses every opportunity to express his ongoing frustration, can be dismissed. After all, this is a warning that does not bind EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the Foreign Affairs Council. It must be remembered that Borrell’s call for Israel to refrain from entering Rafah is aligned with that of the UN Secretary General and the United States (which, as I recall, does not rule out entering Rafah as long as a plan is presented to prevent further civilian casualties and damage to humanitarian aid).
Still, if Israel decides to further its incursion into Rafah, resulting in the killing of civilians and damage to the delivery of humanitarian aid, it must be assumed that Borrell will do everything in his power to ensure that his above warning is translated into action. Will the president of the European Commission (who has differences of opinion with Borrell regarding Israel) agree to impose sanctions? Will Borrell succeed in persuading the Foreign Affairs Council to take protest measures due to the ongoing inability to reach a consensus on Israel? This remains to be seen. It can be assumed that Defense Minister Gallant’s criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s conduct will support those who advocate for a more aggressive policy toward Israel, which may manifest in actions—if not at the EU level, then most certainly at the level of individual states.