Brussels – Josep Borrell, the former High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has voiced strong criticism regarding the European Union's involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly in light of recent military actions in Gaza.

In a recent interview with Spanish radio Cadena Ser, Borrell asserted that "half of the bombs that fall on Gaza are made in Europe" and suggested that Europe possesses the capacity to significantly influence Israel’s actions if it desired.

Borrell's comments come as the EU has begun to review its association agreement with Israel after calls from several member states, including Spain and Ireland, to reassess the political dialogue with Tel Aviv.

This move follows a protracted delay, with Borrell lashing out at previous inaction, stating, "15 months have passed, and almost 30,000 more people have died," referencing the casualties resulting from the ongoing conflict.

In the wake of the recent escalation that began on October 7, 2023, Borrell has been notable among European leaders for openly condemning Israel's actions and calling out the EU’s perceived double standards in addressing human rights violations.

His remarks stand in contrast to the reserved responses from other high-ranking officials, including Ursula von der Leyen, who has faced criticism for her lack of empathy toward Palestinian suffering.

Currently, 17 EU capitals have expressed support for a new request to examine Israel’s compliance with its human rights obligations, a marked shift from earlier reluctance to modify political agreements with Israel.

The verification process will involve internal services from the European Commission collaborating with the European External Action Service to assess Israel’s adherence to the stipulations laid out in Article 2 of the EU-Israel agreement.

While changes to political terms require unanimous consensus among member states, the Commission could potentially propose trade restrictions against Israel with a qualified majority vote.

Borrell has raised skepticism about the likelihood of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing legal repercussions for alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity, citing instances where certain EU countries have expressed welcoming gestures toward him despite ongoing allegations.

This includes Netanyahu’s recent visit to Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban has initiated a process for Hungary to exit the International Criminal Court.

In terms of military capabilities, Borrell highlighted the reliance of Israel on weapons supplied by various countries, noting that between 2020 and 2024, 66 percent of Israel’s arms imports stemmed from the United States.

Following the substantial increase in military aid from Washington, which has included missiles, guided bombs, and armored vehicles, Israel has utilized an extensive supply of explosives in its operations against Gaza, reportedly dropping over 100,000 tonnes of munitions.

In addition to U.S. support, Germany and Italy represent significant sources of military aid, accounting for 33 percent and 1 percent of arms imports, respectively.

Germany’s contributions mainly comprise naval armaments and components for vehicles, while Italy supplies light helicopters and other materials essential to the Israeli military's operations.

Borrell's statements reflect a growing tension within European discourse regarding the trade and accountability of arms suppliers in the context of a protracted conflict that has sparked international scrutiny and debate.