European Jewish leaders and representatives of Jewish communities across Europe have accused EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell of contributing to ongoing antisemitism in Europe by adopting an anti-Israel bias .
In a resolution adopted Tuesday following a two-day emergerncy summit meeting in Amsterdam on the skyrocketing rise of antisemitism in Europe, the leaders adopted a resolution saying among others :
‘’We accept that criticism of a democratically elected government is normal but we note with great concern that the European Union High Representative Josep Borrell has demonstrated – both before and after October 7th – and via his spokesman Peter Stano, a clear and repeated anti-Israel bias that has been a significant contributory factor to the ongoing antisemitism and the vilification of the state of Israel as a whole in the European public space.’’
In several comments he made since October 7th, Borrell has been very critical of Israel, saying that Israel is deliberately causing famine in Gaza, that Israel created Hamas and more recently he made a controversial statement that Israel rejected a hostage deal while Hamas accepted it. The deal he was referring to was an old proposal and not the latest on the table. He also criticized Israel for continuing its military offensive in Rafah warning that this might have consequences on EU-Israel relations.
On May 16, European Jewish Press asked the following question to Borrell’s spokesman at the European Commission daily briefing : ‘’It appears that HRVP Borrell is being more and more critical of Israel, some say hostile, as the war in Gaza develops.’’
Peter Stano, who is EU’s lead spokesperson on foreign affairs, answered by saying : ‘’High Representative is not hostile towards Israel. He is speaking on behalf of the EU and is urging Israel to behave or to conduct the military operation against the terrorists in Hamas in line with the European expectations, a position which have been agreed by EU member states at the level of leader.’’
He added: ‘’Indeed he said that should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put heavy strain on EU’s relationship with Israel. And he does it, he said, not because of the alleged hostility or critical attitude towards Israel. Israel remains our partner. But he said this in view of of the huge humanitarian consequences of the Israeli operation and the looming offensive in Rafah against which all the friends and partners of Israel are cautioning including the US and other inteantional partners.’’
The Jewish leaders resolution also states : ‘’High Representative Borrell has actively fostered a negative climate within the European Union External Action Service towards the State of Israel during his tenure.’’
The text also ‘’reminds the European Council and European Commission that the High representative’s role is ‘contributory’, and that High Representative Borrell has frequently embellished or added to adopted European Council positions on his own initiative, including open criticism of the European Commission President stated support for Israel following the Hamas pogrom of October 7th.’’
The European Jewish leaders urged ‘’the European Council, in light of the significant damage to European Israeli – relations, and in his contributing to antisemitism, to properly vet the next High Representative and ensure that the position and reputation of the EEAS is not allowed to be exploited and manipulated for partisan purposes, as it was under High Representative Borrell.’’