In a surprising statement, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell accused Israel of financing the creation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's repeated denials of such allegations.
Josep Borrell © Mena Today
In a surprising statement, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell accused Israel of financing the creation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's repeated denials of such allegations.
The statement was made during a speech at the University of Valladolid in Spain.
Opponents of the Israeli government and certain global media outlets have long accused Israeli governments of supporting and bolstering Gaza's rulers, Hamas.
This support allegedly includes allowing Qatari financing of Gaza.
Borrell's assertion added fuel to these allegations.
During his speech, Borrell stated, "Yes, Hamas was financed by the government of Israel in an attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority led by Fatah."
However, he did not provide further details or evidence to substantiate his claims.
He also emphasized that the only peaceful solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict involves the creation of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu's office swiftly responded to Borrell's allegations, denying any Israeli involvement in the financing of Hamas's military activities.
The Israeli government conceded that, prior to the Oslo Accords, it had provided funding to the organization, but at that time, Hamas had a purely social agenda, focused on initiatives such as dispensaries, hospitals, and Islamic education.
It was only later that Hamas established a military wing, primarily aimed at combatting the Palestinian Authority.
Israel maintains that it had no involvement, either directly or indirectly, in funding this armed branch.
Borrell's comments have stirred controversy and prompted calls for clarification, as they contradict Israel's official stance on its involvement with Hamas.
Israel insists that Hamas has been financially supported for years by Iran and Qatar, not Israel.
This public contradiction between Borrell and Netanyahu underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where narratives often diverge significantly depending on the perspective of those involved.
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