EU’s Borrell accuses Israel of financing Hamas to undermine Palestinian authority: allegations and calls for two-state solution

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has made a contentious claim, asserting that Israel has financially supported the militant group Hamas in a deliberate effort to weaken the Palestinian Authority, specifically the Fatah faction

This allegation was part of Borrell’s larger commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a speech at the University of Valladolid in Spain, where he presented a 10-point roadmap for a potential peace process.

Despite the gravity of his accusations, Borrell did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate his claims. In his scathing remarks, Borrell also directed criticism at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him personally of obstructing attempts to resolve the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to Borrell, Israel’s steadfast rejection of a two-state solution, a key goal advocated by Western allies for achieving Palestinian statehood, has prompted the imposition of such a solution from external forces. He claims that, by persistently opposing this approach, Israel has indirectly contributed to the rise of Hamas, suggesting that the Israeli government has financed the group with the ulterior motive of undermining the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority.

Borrell’s stance on the two-state solution as the best pathway to peace is in line with the position held by many Western nations. However, he expressed frustration at Israel’s reluctance to embrace this solution, contrasting it with the widespread international support for such a framework.

The diplomat’s comments come in the context of heightened tensions in the region, with recent clashes between Israel and Palestinian groups. Borrell has been actively calling for de-escalation and humanitarian pauses in Gaza, advocating for a permanent ceasefire to pave the way for political negotiations.

In his speech, Borrell also took aim at Israeli settlers in the West Bank, characterizing them as illegal according to international standards. He criticized the international community for its perceived inaction in addressing this illegality and expressed concerns about the escalating violence among these settlers.

Furthermore, Borrell revealed that the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic arm under his leadership, is contemplating the imposition of sanctions on Israeli settlers responsible for violence in the West Bank. This consideration aligns with actions taken by the US and the UK. However, diplomatic sources suggest that the approval of such sanctions during the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels is uncertain.