Many Israelis, particularly officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other government offices, and ministers responsible for relations with the European Union over the past years, likely breathed a sigh of relief at the conclusion of the five-year-term of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (often mistakenly referred to as the “EU foreign minister”).
Before assuming this role, Borrell served as Spain’s foreign minister. Since foreign policy remains exclusively under the authority of EU member states, the European Union itself doesn’t have a unified foreign policy. The high representative’s role is to bridge gaps between the member states’ positions to achieve consensus—a challenging task. Nevertheless, the lack of consensus didn’t prevent Borrell from sharing his personal views, which aren’t binding on the European Commission or its member states. Middle Eastern issues, particularly the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, are among the most contentious topics for EU member states, making it difficult to reach an agreed-upon position.
Borrell, deeply committed to resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, wasn’t willing to accept this status quo. He worked tirelessly to reach consensus and, when unsuccessful, often issued statements in his own name, proposed initiatives (such as calling on EU foreign ministers to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement over Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza), and engaged in activism on regional and international fronts (most recently, he had an active role in establishing the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution).
Despite sharp criticism (including descriptions of him as antisemitic), it’s important to note that Borrell’s positions on key issues related to the conflict—such as settlements, settler violence against Palestinians, the two-state solution, Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and its military conduct there—are widely supported by the majority of EU member states.
In conclusion, Borrell’s tenure will be remembered as a low point in Israel–EU relations. His successor, the Estonian Kaja Kallas, will now take on the role. While the aforementioned issues and other Middle Eastern topics will still accompany her term, the Middle East doesn’t hold the same personal significance for her as it did for Borrell. Her primary focus will likely be on the war in Ukraine and efforts to maintain EU unity in light of internal divisions and the uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s policies. Nevertheless, Kallas will need to address Middle Eastern issues, although her style and level of activism are expected to differ significantly from Borrell’s approach.
Many Israelis, particularly officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other government offices, and ministers responsible for relations with the European Union over the past years, likely breathed a sigh of relief at the conclusion of the five-year-term of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (often mistakenly referred to as the “EU foreign minister”).
Before assuming this role, Borrell served as Spain’s foreign minister. Since foreign policy remains exclusively under the authority of EU member states, the European Union itself doesn’t have a unified foreign policy. The high representative’s role is to bridge gaps between the member states’ positions to achieve consensus—a challenging task. Nevertheless, the lack of consensus didn’t prevent Borrell from sharing his personal views, which aren’t binding on the European Commission or its member states. Middle Eastern issues, particularly the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, are among the most contentious topics for EU member states, making it difficult to reach an agreed-upon position.
Borrell, deeply committed to resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, wasn’t willing to accept this status quo. He worked tirelessly to reach consensus and, when unsuccessful, often issued statements in his own name, proposed initiatives (such as calling on EU foreign ministers to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement over Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza), and engaged in activism on regional and international fronts (most recently, he had an active role in establishing the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution).
Despite sharp criticism (including descriptions of him as antisemitic), it’s important to note that Borrell’s positions on key issues related to the conflict—such as settlements, settler violence against Palestinians, the two-state solution, Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and its military conduct there—are widely supported by the majority of EU member states.
In conclusion, Borrell’s tenure will be remembered as a low point in Israel–EU relations. His successor, the Estonian Kaja Kallas, will now take on the role. While the aforementioned issues and other Middle Eastern topics will still accompany her term, the Middle East doesn’t hold the same personal significance for her as it did for Borrell. Her primary focus will likely be on the war in Ukraine and efforts to maintain EU unity in light of internal divisions and the uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s policies. Nevertheless, Kallas will need to address Middle Eastern issues, although her style and level of activism are expected to differ significantly from Borrell’s approach.