European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell is facing accusations of double standards after being interviewed by a journalist about possible violations of international law in the Gaza Strip.
During an interview with journalist Osman Ayfarah, Borrell gave conflicting answers when discussing the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza following the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel.
When asked if Israel’s bombing of the enclave constituted a war crime, the EU official replied that he was not a lawyer and left it to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate. He noted that several countries have asked the court to open the case.
However, Borrell immediately responded to the question of whether the EU believed what Hamas did on October 7th was a war crime.
“Yes, we consider it a war crime, to kill civilians in this apparent way for no reason at all, to kill them just because they were there, not for any other reason,” Borrell noted.
The journalist warned him that when asked about Israel, he had just said that he was not a lawyer.
“You just told me, when asked about Israel, that you are not a lawyer. How is that clear in your accusation against Hamas for the war crimes? And when I ask you about Israel, you say that you are not a lawyer, as many Western politicians do. That’s why many accuse you of clear double standards,” said the journalist.
Borrell responded that they did not have a double standard and wanted to adhere to the principles based on what they witnessed.
“No, we don’t have a double standard. We want to adhere to the principles based on what we’ve witnessed. And personally, yes, it could rise to the level of war crimes. But then again, you’re right; we should leave it to the ICC to decide ” Borrell said.
More than 11,000 people, including about 5,000 children, were killed during the Israeli airstrikes and ground invasion of Gaza. About 1,200 people died in the Hamas attack on Israel, including a large number of military personnel, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
