EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell leveled a serious accusation against Israel, alleging it funded the Palestinian group Hamas, just as Israel's Foreign Minister was due in Brussels.
Borrell, awarded an honorary doctorate in Spain, claimed Israel's support for Hamas aimed to undercut the Palestinian Authority, a charge historically denied by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Borrell advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, suggesting it be externally enforced. Israel strongly contested Borrell's statements, with Netanyahu's adviser highlighting the Prime Minister's military campaigns against Hamas.
Days before EU meetings on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Borrell's comments sparked tension. Separate EU plans include new sanctions targeting Hamas' finances.
The European Parliament pushed for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, conditional upon Hamas' dismantlement. Despite previous suggestions of indirect Israeli funding to Hamas, Netanyahu has rejected the notion of aiding Hamas to weaken Palestinian unity.
Discussions also involved U.S. President
Joe Biden's views on a two-state solution's viability under Netanyahu, who recently opposed Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu maintained that Israel must control Gaza for security post-Hamas, conflicting with calls for Palestinian sovereignty. Borrell, with past undiplomatic conduct, continues his controversial tenure as EU foreign policy head since 2019.