DaysofPal- Former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell delivered a scathing critique of European complicity in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, declaring that “Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and half of the bombs falling on the Strip come from us.”
Speaking during a ceremony at the historic Monastery of Yuste in Spain, where he was awarded the Carlos V European Award, Borrell issued one of the strongest public condemnations yet by a European official of both the Israeli military campaign and the European Union’s response.
In his address, Borrell did not mince words, asserting that Europe is witnessing “the largest ethnic cleansing since World War II.” He accused Israeli authorities of pursuing a policy of extermination against Palestinians in Gaza, to transform the besieged enclave into a “tourist resort” once the population is displaced or eliminated. His comments referenced a controversial proposal supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which envisions relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries under the pretext of converting the territory into a global tourism hub.
“The bombs that are killing civilians in Gaza are not just Israeli,” Borrell said. “Half of them come from Europe. And yet the European Union is not doing its utmost to stop this.” He criticized EU member states for continuing arms exports to the Israeli occupation and failing to exert meaningful diplomatic pressure to end the conflict. According to Borrell, the EU’s lack of decisive action has made it complicit in the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
Borrell’s speech also highlighted the Arab-led initiative aimed at reconstructing Gaza without displacing its population. Backed by Egypt, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the $53 billion plan proposes a five-year rebuilding process, with guarantees to preserve Palestinian sovereignty and prevent forced relocation. However, both the Israeli occupation and the United States have rejected the plan, favoring alternatives that involve resettling Palestinians in countries like Egypt and Jordan—a proposal that has been firmly opposed by those nations and widely rejected across the Arab world.
Turning to broader geopolitical issues, Borrell issued a stark warning to Europe’s younger generations. He stressed the urgent need for the continent to advance its financial and military integration to remain resilient in an increasingly unstable world. “The main challenge facing Europe is no longer internal peace, but how to manage its relations with the rest of the world,” he said. He urged European leaders to prepare for external shocks and confront the rise of global authoritarianism, referencing figures like Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as threats to global stability.
Borrell also criticized the EU’s delayed military support for Ukraine in the early stages of Russia’s invasion, arguing that the lack of timely arms deliveries had “dire consequences.” He warned that unless Europe strengthens its defense capabilities and foreign policy coherence, it risks being overwhelmed by future crises.
His speech concluded with a call for moral clarity and political courage: “Europe must not look away. Silence and inaction are no longer options. If we want to remain a continent of values, we must act like one.”
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=62800
