PNN – In an article, the American Publication Politico, referring to the approach of “Joseph Burrell” in charge of EU foreign policy towards Gaza, which has drawn criticism from some leaders of this bloc, announced the deepening of the rift in this European institution over the ongoing war in the Middle East.
According to Pakistan News Network, Josep Burrell has been widely criticized by member countries of this union because of his approach to the war between Israel and Hamas.
According to this report, this senior EU diplomat outlined the position of the EU countries regarding the Israel-Hamas war at the end of October after a meeting in Luxembourg.
According to him, although there is a preliminary agreement between the EU inter-ministerials on the temporary ceasefire and sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, but after 4 days of that meeting, it became clear that no agreement was reached between the authorities of the member states.
On the one hand, Spain wanted a complete ceasefire, but countries like Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic wanted to refrain from using any language that would question the right to defend the Zionist regime.
Only one day after EU leaders discussed the importance of creating humanitarian corridors for the safe passage of civilians in Gaza and the necessity of establishing a temporary ceasefire at the European Council meeting, Borrell criticized the situation in Gaza on social networks. He called it against international humanitarian laws and called for a temporary ceasefire in this Palestinian land.
This senior diplomat of the European Union used the word “Pause” instead of “Temporary Ceasefire” against the wishes of the European Union countries, while other European leaders always avoid using this word due to the possibility of misinterpretation by the supporters of the Zionist regime.
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Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was the first European official to address (tagged) Borrell on Twitter and wrote: “It is necessary to adhere to the positions of the Council of Europe.”
Explaining his reaction in an interview with Politico, he explained: “I had the duty to publicly remind the common position of the European Union.”
Luigi Scazziri, a member of the “European Reform Think Tank” also said in response to the statements of the EU foreign policy official: “Borrell’s words caused the gap between the EU members over the war in Gaza to be completely fixed.”
Politico has mentioned in another part of this article that there is criticism of Borrell’s approach in the European Union regarding Gaza, while some other members of the European Union supported Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, despite the crimes of the Israeli regime in Gaza.
Of course, Borrell himself has criticized von der Leyen even earlier for his full support for Israel. In response to the visit of this senior European official to the occupied territories, he said: “Europe’s foreign policy is not decided by the Commission, but by the high levels of the Council of the European Union headed by Charles Michel and the Ministers of the Council of Foreign Affairs, headed by me.”
In another part of his speech, Scazziri added: “If Borrell’s statement was the position of the entire European Union, it would be easier for this bloc to defend itself against accusations of double standards of human rights.”
Steven van Heck, a professor of European politics at the University of Leuven, Belgium, also noted in this regard: “Borrell plays his cards well.” He added: “The obvious tension between von der Leyen and Burrell shows the gap between the European authorities more clearly.”
The university professor argued: “Von der Leyen, accused of favoring Israel, made his comments as a German politician, not as the president of the European Commission. Burrell reacted as a Spanish diplomat whose country is historically connected with the Arab world.