EU-Israel relations deteriorate as Spain and Ireland get ready to recognise a Palestinian state

On the eve of Ireland and Spain’s diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state, relations between the European Union and Israel plunged on May 27. Madrid insisted that sanctions should be taken into consideration due to its ongoing deadly attacks in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Meanwhile, the Chief of EU foreign policy, Josep Borrell, placed his whole weight behind the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor is requesting an arrest warrant against leaders of the violent Hamas group as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  

Recognition of Palestinian State 

On Tuesday, Norway, Spain, and Ireland want to formally recognise a Palestinian state. None of the main Western powers have recognized a Palestinian state, despite the fact that dozens of nations have. For the Palestinians, who feel that it gives international legitimacy to their cause, the recognition is a major victory. Spain has been accused by Israeli FM Israel Katz of “rewarding terror” by admitting the state of Palestine. Israel Katz has told Spain that it will not be permitted to assist Palestinians through its consulate in Jerusalem. 

Katz’s remarks have drawn criticism from Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who said that his colleagues in Ireland and Norway were “also receiving absolutely unreasonable and absolutely reprehensible acts of provocation from our Israeli colleague” as a result of their intentions to recognise Palestine. In spite of frightening propaganda, he underlined the significance of maintaining European unity.  

Albares stated that Spain and other nations requested Borrell to provide a list of what means the European Union could apply to make Israel follow the ICJ’s ruling along with what the EU had done in the past under similar circumstances when there has been a serious infraction of international law. Israeli authorities were infuriated by Spain, Ireland, and Norway’s combined announcement last week, and they called the ambassadors of those three nations to the Foreign Ministry in Tel Aviv. While criticizing the way European ambassadors are treated in Israel, Albares made it clear that their objectives still include recognizing Palestine, bringing about a durable cease-fire as quickly as possible, and eventually bringing about final agreement.  

Accusations from Borrell against Israel

Borrell declared that his conception of the state of Israel are no longer be reconciled with the policies of the Israeli government, particularly plans to cease distributing tax funds designated for the Palestinian Authority. He said that from now on, he would only speak of the “Netanyahu government” rather than the “Israeli government” since it is this government making the decisions. Additionally, Borrell claimed that PM Benjamin Netanyahu was pursuing political objectives by fabricating accusations of antisemitism towards the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

The Rafah Mission 

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that while the bloc has agreed in principle to resurrect an EU civilian mission at Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip adjacent to Egypt, it would require agreements from all parties to move further. The European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) Rafah was put on hold in 2007 after Hamas, a militant Palestinian organisation, took complete control of Gaza. Now, the alliance is thinking about bringing it back. The major point of entry for supplies coming from Egypt is the Rafah crossing, which has been blocked since Israeli soldiers took control of it almost three weeks ago from the Gazan side. 

The Case in Brief 

While the EU and its member states have not wavered in their condemnation of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, in which militants broke through the Gaza border into Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping about 250 others, the bloc has also been critical of PM Benjamin Netanyahu‘s subsequent offensive, which, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, has killed over 35,000 Palestinians without making a distinction between combatants and civilians. 

The focus of the most recent attacks has been Rafah, where Palestinian health workers reported that on May 26, Israeli airstrikes destroyed tents housing the displaced and left “numerous” others trapped in burning rubble. At least 35 Palestinians were killed in these attacks.