In a scathing rebuke, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, criticised the United States and other nations for continuing to provide weapons to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Borrell’s comments came after talks with the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Brussels.
“If you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide fewer arms to prevent so many casualties,” Borrell blasted during a press conference, challenging the approach of merely urging both sides to halt civilian casualties.
The war in Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll, with over 28,000 Palestinians killed, 80 percent of the population displaced, and a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding.
Borrell condemned the practice of sending delegations to Tel Aviv without concrete actions, questioning: “How many is too many? Which is the standard? (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu doesn’t listen to anyone.”
Expressing deep concern, Borrell warned about a potential Israeli ground assault on Rafah, near the Egyptian border, where a significant portion of Gaza’s population has sought refuge. “They are going to evacuate. Where, to the moon? Where are they going to evacuate these people?” Borrell asked in an impassioned plea for immediate action.
In a significant development, judges in the Netherlands have also ordered the halt of F-35 fighter jet parts export to Israel, citing a clear risk of international law violations.
The decision follows a civil suit by human rights organisations arguing that the export makes the Netherlands complicit in potential war crimes committed by Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
While a lower court initially sided with the government, the Hague Court of Appeals overturned the decision, mandating the cessation of exports within seven days. The ruling could now be appealed.
In Germany, where the government significantly increased weapons shipments to Israel following a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, Olaf Scholz is now cautioning against an Israeli attack on Rafah. Foreign Minister Baerbock said: “If the Israeli army were to launch an attack on Rafah, it would be a premeditated humanitarian disaster.”
