Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults

Borrell apologizes for using 'jungle' to describe what is not the EU

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Oct 2022 14:55
3 Min Read

Borrell acknowledges that the"garden" and "jungle" metaphors gained widespread criticism because US neoconservative politicians had used the term.

  • x
  • EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (AFP)
    EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (AFP)

Josep Borrell has issued a public apology after people took offense to his use of the term "jungle", explaining that he meant to refer to the increasing rise of lawlessness and disorder around the world.

As he addressed students at the College of Europe in Bruges last Thursday at a university program designed to raise the next generation of European diplomats, Borrell compared the European Union to a "garden" that must be protected from the "jungle" outside. 

His remarks, which led people to call him "racist", also instigated tensions with the UAE as it summoned the head of mission at the EU delegation to the UAE for clarification on Monday - labeling the remarks as "inappropriate and discriminatory," according to the country's state news agency WAM.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani also condemned on Tuesday the latest remarks as arising from a colonial mentality, as he expressed on Twitter, that "the garden/jungle metaphor arises from an utterly unacceptable colonial mentality which gives the West a right to invade and occupy."

Related News

Jordan, UAE assist IOF with dropping symbolic aid over Gaza

Reuters: Trump vows help Afghan evacuees as UAE quietly deports them

The garden/jungle metaphor arises from an utterly unacceptable colonial mentality which gives the West a right to invade & occupy.

That era has long gone. Multipolarity is on the doorstep.

EU needs to adopt the realities, otherwise it will continue to decline & fade.

— Nasser Kanaani (@IRIMFA_SPOX) October 18, 2022

In a blog post on the official website of the European Union, Borrell clarified that "jungle" was to demonstrate increased use of force, intimidation, and blackmail or behavior that violates international norms, adding, "The growth of this lawless world and disorder is what I meant when talking about the 'jungle'," as he assured that the term had no racist, cultural, or certain geographical connotation.

He said, unfortunately, the "jungle" is everywhere, including today in Ukraine.

Borrell even admitted that some people misinterpreted his reference as "colonial Eurocentrism", followed by another apology for the offense, expressing that he felt Europe needed to know the rest of the world better as it is often too Eurocentric. That comes after he insisted in his original speech that Europeans have to be "much more engaged" with the rest of the world and put their "privilege" to positive use. 

"Garden" and "jungle" metaphors, Borrell acknowledged, gained widespread criticism because US neoconservative politicians had used the term but assured he was "far from that school of political thought."

The EU foreign policy chief is keen on adopting this garden-vs-jungle rhetoric, fueling a Eurocentric sentiment focused on gatekeeping the continent from the citizens of countries it either bombs or simply pillages, making refugees collateral damage of this imperial outlook. 

  • UAE
  • EU
  • Josep Borrell
  • jungle
  • Iran
  • European Union

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS