Borrell: Israeli actions in Gaza violate international law

(Patria) - European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell accused the Israeli government on Tuesday of violating international law by imposing a complete blockade on Gaza in response to the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, Reuters reported.

Following an emergency meeting to discuss the consequences of the attack, Borrell also said that the "vast majority" of EU foreign ministers support the continuation of aid payments to the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank.

Borrell made the statement a day after European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, a Hungarian diplomat, said that all EU development aid to Palestinians had been suspended, but the Commission disavowed his statement after a reaction from EU governments.

Borrell invited the Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers to participate via video conference at a meeting in Muscat, Oman. However, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen did not wish to participate in a meeting where Palestinian Authority Minister Riyad al-Maliki would also speak, so neither participated in the end, officials said.

Borrell reiterated his condemnation of Hamas's attack. However, he said that Israel's response must be in accordance with international humanitarian law and that the decision to impose a complete blockade on Gaza is contrary to this standard.

"Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must be done in accordance with international law, humanitarian law, and some decisions are contrary to international law," he said.

Borrell mentioned that the United Nations stated that "cutting off water, cutting off electricity, suspending food for civilians is against international law".

Israel criticized the UN's statement, accusing the head of the world organization of human rights of not condemning Hamas as terrorists.

Borrell emphasized that the EU does not cooperate with Hamas, which governs Gaza and which the EU classifies as a terrorist organization. However, he said it is vital that the bloc continues to provide assistance to Palestinian civilians through the Palestinian Authority.

"Collective punishment against all Palestinians will be unjust and unproductive," he said.