High-Level Dialogue Between Israel and Palestine in Brussels
On Monday, 14 July, the foreign ministers of Palestine and Israel will be present at the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting in Brussels. This event is a significant development, as it marks the first time both sides will be represented at a high level in the city since the Hamas attacks on 7 October and the subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza. According to diplomats and officials, this gathering aims to strengthen the EU’s cooperation with Israel and nine other southern partners, including Syria and Libya.
While the two sides often meet at the United Nations, this forum offers a more intimate setting for high-level discussions. It also occurs during a critical period when EU member states are evaluating potential measures against Israel over its actions in Gaza and the violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Senior officials from both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have confirmed their participation in the meeting. Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign affairs minister, and Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, the foreign affairs minister of the Palestinian Authority, will attend. Additionally, Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, from the newly installed government, is expected to join the discussions.
A Palestinian official shared the following statement: “We want to speak for ourselves at this meeting and send a message to Europeans about the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians. We will also request that they take measures against Israel. Furthermore, we will address the deteriorating financial situation of the Palestinian Authority, as Israel continues to withhold €8.2 billion shekels (€2.1 billion) from tax revenues.”
The official added, “Our goal is to push for elections for the Palestinian people and find a political solution to our current situation.”
The meeting was initially planned for June but had to be postponed due to the ongoing situation in Gaza. It now takes place amid strained relations between the EU and Israel. The country has been accused of blocking food supplies from entering Gaza, and there have been allegations of Israeli soldiers shooting Palestinians heading towards humanitarian aid sites.
The EU 27 foreign ministers are also set to review a list of ten options on 15 July, following an assessment of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The review found that Tel Aviv violated Article 2 of the agreement due to its actions in Gaza. The proposed measures include suspending the entire EU-Israel Association Agreement, halting political dialogue with Israel, or restricting access to EU programs. These actions would require unanimous approval from all 27 member states.
Despite these challenges, the Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting also follows the announcement that the EU and Israel have agreed on a “significant” improvement in humanitarian aid access into Gaza. This development highlights the ongoing efforts to address the urgent needs of the population in the region.
The EU’s Southern Neighbourhood partnership is based on the 1995 Barcelona Declaration, which aimed to transform the Mediterranean into “an area of dialogue, exchange and cooperation, guaranteeing peace, stability and prosperity.” The partnership involves ministers and representatives from all 27 EU countries, as well as 11 Arab countries in the Mediterranean, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Libya.
