Israeli strikes against Hamas over the past year have caused thousands of civilian deaths and much destruction in GazaImage: -/AFP
The EU’s political dialogue with Israel is covered by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides for regular exchanges to strengthen the partnership.
It also, however, states that relations between the sides are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which Borrell has said may not have been adhered to by Israel.
Spain and Ireland have also suggested that the agreement with Israel be reviewed.
But EU diplomats had also stressed that suspending the institutional political dialogue does not mean suspending the agreement or the Association Council, which is in charge of relations between the two parties.
Proposed import ban
Borrell also wanted to introduce a ban on the import of products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The settlements are illegal under international law.
The ministers did approve new sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to use in the Ukraine war during Monday’s meeting.
Borrell also said ahead of the meeting that he hoped EU members would agree to allow Kyiv to strike inside Russia with the arms the bloc has provided.
“I’ve been saying once and again that Ukraine should be able to use the arms we provided to them, in order to not only stop the arrows but also to be able to hit the archers,” Borrell said.
His comment comes amid reports that US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied missiles to strike deeper inside Russia, in possible response to the deployment by Moscow of thousands of North Korean troops in its war against its neighbor.
tj/lo (Reuters, dpa)
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Publish date : 2024-11-18 12:58:00
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