‘’Von der Leyen’s trip to Israel, with such a completely pro-Israeli position, without representing anyone but herself in a matter of international politics, has carried a high geopolitical cost for Europe,” said Josep Borrell.

’Von der Leyen is strengheting Europe while Borrell is weakening Europe,’ commented Austrian MEP Lukas Mandl. 

 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell sharply criticized European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for her ‘’pro-Israel position,’’ in a lenghty interview with Spanish daily El Pais.

‘’The weight of history explains the position of Germany at the head of the institutions: the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, made a visit to Tel Aviv during which she defended Israel’s right to defend itself without placing any limits on the government,’’ Borrell said, in a reference to the solidarity trip to Israel made by von der Leyen a few days after the 0ctober 7 attacks, together with EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola ;

He added that ‘’Von der Leyen’s trip, with such a completely pro-Israeli position, without representing anyone but herself in a matter of international politics, has carried a high geopolitical cost for Europe.”

In the interview, Borrell also noted that ‘’the U.S. position is taking its toll on Biden among the young Democratic electorate.’’

He added,  “The catastrophe in Gaza is not the result of an earthquake or a flood: it is the consequence of devastating military action. Hamas is an idea, and an idea is only fought with another idea. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for Gaza are unacceptable. The seeds of hatred are being sown for generations. It is an open secret that the Israelis funded Hamas and played at dividing the Palestinians. ‘’

Asked for a comment about Borrel’s remarks on Von der Leyen at the daily EU Commission briefing Tuesday, Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer responded : ‘’The President’s position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas is exactly the same as that expressed by the Foreign Affairs Council and the European Council. I am not going to comment on a commentsuccinctement : ‘’Let me just remind you that the position of EU Commission President is exactly the same as

Several members of the European Parliament criticized Borrell’s attack against von der Leyen, at a debate on the situation in Gaza in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. ‘’Von der Leyen is strengheting Europe while Borrell is weakening Europe,’’ said Austrian MEP Lukas Mandl from the center-right European People’s Party (EPP). He stressed that Israel is the only democratic country in the region ‘’which is also defending us Europeans.’’

”I heard High Representative Borrell attacking again the President of the European Commission. Why ? Because we have European elections in two months ? Is this the role of the High Representative?,” asked Spanish MEP Lopez Isturiz-White from EPP.

In another interview on Sunday with the Spanish daily El Diario, the EU foreign policy chief criticized the Israeli government for refusing to listen to any criticism, even when it comes from the United Nations.

“I claim the right to criticize Israeli government decisions without being considered an anti-Semite. These two things have nothing to do with each other”, he declared.

He also asserted that the international community must impose a two-state solution, in the absence of any willingness on Israel’s part to do so.

Borrell also criticized the United States for vetoing a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

“Even if it’s not their intention, they’re empowering Netanyahu,” he said.

He added that while Israel had the right to defend itself, its use of force had been “disproportionate”.