British News Agency

Borrell, who served as Spain's foreign minister and was the EU’s top diplomat from 2019 to 2024 and President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007, criticized the bloc for not using all its tools to influence Israel, saying that expressions of regret are not enough.

On Friday, while receiving the Charles V European Award in southwest Spain in front of King Felipe and other dignitaries, Borrell said the horror experienced by Israel during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, does not justify the horror it later inflicted on Gaza.

“We are witnessing the largest ethnic cleansing operation since World War II, aimed at creating a luxury resort after clearing millions of tons of rubble and after Palestinians have been killed or displaced,” he said.

The former diplomat accused Israel of violating all rules of conflict and using the starvation of Gaza’s civilian population as a “weapon of war.”

“Three times more explosive power than that used on Hiroshima has been dropped on Gaza,” said Borrell. “And for months now, nothing has entered Gaza. Nothing: no water, no food, no electricity, no fuel, no medical services. [Benjamin] Netanyahu’s ministers said it – and they did it.”

Borrell criticized Europe for shirking its moral and humanitarian responsibilities toward Gaza, saying: “Europe not only has the capacity and tools to protest what is happening, but also to influence Israel’s behavior.

But it doesn’t. We supply half the bombs falling on Gaza. If we truly believe too many people are dying, then the natural response would be to supply fewer weapons and use the partnership agreement to demand respect for international humanitarian law – instead of just lamenting that it isn’t happening.”