As his term as High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union nears its end, Josep Borrell has continued to draw criticism for his long-standing hostile stance toward Israel.
The King of Jordan and the EU's chief diplomat met on Thursday in Amman © X
As his term as High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union nears its end, Josep Borrell has continued to draw criticism for his long-standing hostile stance toward Israel.
Over the years, Borrell has faced accusations of bias in his handling of Middle Eastern affairs, and his recent actions have only intensified these concerns.
On Thursday, Borrell welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister. He called on all states to enforce the mandate, a move likely to further strain relations between the EU and Israel.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Borrell has repeatedly referred to the situation as a "massacre." However, his critics point out his lack of acknowledgment of the Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in the killing of 1,200 Israeli civilians, including children, and the abduction of hostages, who remain in captivity. This omission has fueled accusations of selective condemnation in his rhetoric.
Honored in Amman
While in Amman, Borrell received the Great Cordon of the Order of Al-Kawkab Al-Urduni from King Abdullah II of Jordan, a symbolic gesture that aligns with his active engagement in the region. However, his critics argue that such honors contrast sharply with his controversial legacy as Europe’s top diplomat.
Borrell’s tenure as High Representative has been widely criticized in Brussels, where he is seen as having failed to bring cohesion and effectiveness to the EU's foreign policy. Many in the European diplomatic circles view his record as disastrous, with strained international relations and inconsistent approaches to global crises marking his time in office.
As the Spanish Socialist prepares to step down, his actions and statements in his final days have left a bitter taste for many observers, particularly in the context of his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For his detractors, his departure signals a much-needed opportunity for a reset in EU foreign policy leadership.
By Bruno Finel
October 7, 2023, marked a blood-red date on Israel's calendar, and that of the Jewish people. The barbarity of Hamas and its accompanying hordes is unparalleled in the contemporary world, with its procession of violence, hatred, rapes, and massacres.
On the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2025, Dr. Rafat Husseini, Director of the Jerusalem Branch of the International Organization for Human Rights and the Defense of Freedoms, issued a heartfelt message combining spiritual reflection with a strong call for unity, justice, and social responsibility.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that the Israeli army will continue striking targets in Beirut unless the Lebanese government disarms Hezbollah, escalating tensions a day after a wave of Israeli airstrikes devastated several buildings in the densely populated southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital — a stronghold of the Shiite group.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.