Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský strongly opposed the proposal by Josep Borrell — the outgoing chief diplomat of the European Union (EU) — to suspend political dialogue with Israel following the rights violations humans in Gaza. This proposal is to be examined by EU foreign ministers on Monday 18 November in Brussels.
Jan Lipavský claims that suspending political dialogue with Israel would have no results and also questioned Josep Borrell’s consistency on the matter.
“It seems to me that Josep Borrell doesn’t know what he wants”the Czech Foreign Minister told the Czech national news agency ČTK on Friday (November 15).
He also highlighted the change in position of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs: during the Czech EU presidency in the second half of 2022, Josep Borrell had initially blocked efforts to convene a council of association with Israel, and then put pressure in this direction.
“Today he is proposing to suspend the dialogue. It no longer makes sense.”said the Czech minister, adding: “I don’t think the suspension of political dialogue will achieve anything.”
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, signed in 2000, emphasizes human rights and democratic principles as the basis of their relationship. Josep Borrell’s proposal aims to assess Israel’s respect for these principles.
Unanimous support from all 27 EU member states is needed for the proposal to pass, making approval unlikely. Besides the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria have also expressed support for Israel.
The proposal to suspend dialogue with Israel could be Josep Borrell’s last initiative as head of European diplomacy. He is expected to be replaced in the coming weeks by former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
Asked by ČTK, Jan Lipavský did not wish to comment on the approach he expected from Kaja Kallas on this issue.
“Let’s give him the space to present his own approach to this agenda. This is not a simple program. This is one of the most divisive issues in the EU at the moment.”he replied.
How do you think the division among EU member states regarding Israel impacts the effectiveness of the EU’s foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly in terms of addressing human rights violations?
Question 1: As the Czech Foreign Minister, how do you evaluate the proposal by Josep Borrell to suspend political dialogue with Israel, given the human rights violations in Gaza? Do you believe this would be an effective response?
Question 2: In your opinion, what are the potential consequences of suspending political dialogue with Israel on the EU-Israel association agreement? How would this affect the future of the relationship between the two parties?
Question 3: You have expressed concern over Josep Borrell’s inconsistency in his approach towards Israel. Can you elaborate more on this? How does the inconsistency impact the trust and credibility of the EU as a diplomatic actor?
Question 4: The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria have shown their support for Israel. Do you think this division among EU member states weakens the bloc’s ability to hold Israel accountable for its actions?
Question 5: If the proposal fails to pass unanimously among all 27 member states, do you think it’s appropriate for the EU to continue engaging with Israel on a political level despite the human rights concerns?
Question 6: With former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expected to replace Josep Borrell, do you see any potential changes in the EU’s approach towards Israel and its human rights record? What message does this transition send to the international community about the EU’s priorities regarding Middle East diplomacy?
Question 7: As a Czech leader, how do you envision the EU-Israel relationship evolving under the new leadership and in light of ongoing tensions in the region? What role can personal diplomacy play in improving relations between the two parties?
Question 8: What is your personal vision for the future of EU foreign policy towards Israel and the Middle East? How can the EU promote stability and peace while also upholding its commitment to human rights and democratic principles in the region?
