EU's Former Foreign Policy Chief Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

Josep Borrell, the former EU foreign policy chief and former Spanish foreign minister, has made a scathing attack on Israel, accusing its government of committing genocide in Gaza. Borrell, who served as the EU's top diplomat from 2019 to 2024, collected the Charles V European award in front of dignitaries including King Felipe in south-west Spain on Friday, and used the platform to criticise the bloc's failure to use all the means at its disposal to influence Israel. He also accused Israel of violating all the rules of conflict and using the starvation of Gaza's civilian population as a "weapon of war".

Key Takeaways:

  • Borrell accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, accusing the government of violating all the rules of conflict and using the starvation of Gaza's civilian population as a "weapon of war".
  • He stated that three times more explosive power was dropped on Gaza than was used in the Hiroshima bomb, and that nothing - including water, food, electricity, fuel, or medical services - has been getting into Gaza for months.
  • Borrell accused Israel of having "clear declarations of genocidal intent", and stated that seldom has he heard a leader clearly outline a plan that fits the legal definition of genocide.
  • He also criticised Europe for shirking its moral and humanitarian responsibilities over Gaza, saying that it supplies half the bombs that are falling on Gaza, but fails to use its capacity and means to influence Israel's conduct.
  • Borrell reflected on current geopolitical realities, describing the post-1945 world order as being demolished by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, and accusing Trump of being "the master of chaos".
  • He stated that Europe needs to move from structural pacifism to strong rearmament, and that it needs to shift away from a comfortable and atavistic Atlanticism to build full European sovereignty.

Statistics:

  • Three times more explosive power was dropped on Gaza than was used in the Hiroshima bomb.
  • For months, nothing - including water, food, electricity, fuel, or medical services - has been getting into Gaza.
  • Europe supplies half the bombs that are falling on Gaza.

Sources:

  • [Sam Jones in Madrid, The Guardian]