Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip have gone beyond self-defense and are causing too much suffering, according to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
“Of course, Israel has the right to self-defense – that is very clear,” she said in an exclusive interview with The Jerusalem Post this week. “But the recent actions go beyond self-defense. There is too much human suffering.”
“I hear what the Israeli government is saying: that humanitarian aid has also been weaponized,” she added. “But if Gaza were truly flooded with humanitarian aid, there would be no shortage, which means no one could weaponize it.”
When Kallas took office, she attempted to open a new chapter in EU-Israel relations following the turbulent tenure of her predecessor, Josep Borrell.
Statements such as, “If you think the death toll is too high, give them fewer weapons,” and “Israeli bombings are worse than the Allied bombings of Nazi Germany,” are just two examples of Borrell’s controversial remarks.
Kallas has adopted a different tone. She even invited Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Brussels to revive the EU-Israel Association Council, a forum that had not convened in nearly a decade.
“It is clear that we want good relations with Israel,” Kallas said. “At the same time, we see steps the Israeli government is taking that really raise questions. That’s why I think it’s important to have this open and frank dialogue, so we can address these issues with our Israeli counterparts, which we are constantly doing.”
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “France will decide in the coming days whether to harden its stance toward Israel and whether to take concrete measures against it.”
Kallas for Israel's security, does not endorse IDF tactics
Regarding the decisions by several European countries to suspend arms deals with Israel and their calls for more forceful EU action, Kallas said: “What everybody wants to signal is that we are, of course, supporting Israel’s security. But at the same time, these countries – and everyone, really – are not endorsing all the measures being carried out by the Israeli government.”
She is currently leading a formal review, prompted by EU member states, of whether Israel has violated international law during the war in Gaza, including the distribution of humanitarian aid.
“If the review says that the international humanitarian law has been breached, then of course we have different options, different options from the full suspension of the association agreement to, you know, different elements that could be done,” Kallas said.
Kallas responds to EU lifting sanctions on Syria
Another EU-related decision that irked Israel was its move to lift sanctions on Syria and shift its policy toward the regime of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“If people have opportunities – if they can earn a livelihood – then there’s a chance they won’t be radicalized, and chaos in Syria can be avoided,” Kallas said.
Asked whether she believes that Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member, has truly changed, she said everything would be judged by actions.
“Of course, we have concerns about the new leadership in Syria,” she added. “That is very clear. We have chosen this path of easing sanctions with the understanding that we can always reinstate them if we do not see progress in the right direction.”
Kallas said she wants to avoid a rupture with Israel, but pressure from EU member states is mounting. Whether she succeeds in maintaining a delicate balance, or whether relations between Jerusalem and Brussels will once again turn frosty, remains to be seen.
“We hope that the hostages are released,” Kallas said. “We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza – that is very, very clear. And we also hope that the suffering of the people in Gaza will end, that humanitarian aid will reach them, and that both parties will be able to foster prosperity for the people moving forward.”