Iran FM urges Borrell to take more concrete steps to halt war on Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Dec 2023 00:36

The Iranian diplomat urged the EU to implement more concrete measures to achieve a complete cessation of Zionist aggressions in the Gaza Strip and to lift the blockade on the region.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks at the annual meeting of the Caspian Sea littoral states foreign ministers in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 (AP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has written a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in which he has urged the European Union to take more effective steps to help ensure a complete halt to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

In his letter dated Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister highlighted recent positions taken by the EU, emphasizing the imperative for a sustainable and durable ceasefire, the cessation of civilian massacres in the Palestinian region, adherence to international humanitarian law, and the prompt provision of aid to the people in Gaza.

The minister commended Borrell's stance on condemning Zionist settlement construction as a clear violation of international humanitarian law and denounced Zionist violence in the occupied West Bank.

The Iranian diplomat further urged the EU to implement more concrete measures to achieve a complete cessation of Zionist aggressions in the Gaza Strip and to lift the blockade on the region.

Borrell in favor of temporary truces, not an enduring ceasefire

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that EU member states have collectively agreed on a common stance regarding the escalating war on Gaza, favoring "immediate pauses" to allow for the opening of humanitarian corridors.

"In this 27 [EU nations] statement we ask for immediate pauses. I am saying that in plural, not a singular one but several [sic] pauses. These immediate pauses and humanitarian corridors are to be established in order to face the dire situation of the people in Gaza," Borrell added.

On another note, Borrell announced in November that the bloc has authorized at least €27 billion ($28.9 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine since last year - calling it the "highest figure ever reached," while zero euros were directed to help Gaza.

During an interview with Al Jazeera in November, Borrell was queried about whether "Israel's" actions could be deemed war crimes.

He responded, "I'm not a lawyer; that falls within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court."

Later, when asked about the Palestinian resistance actions on October 7th, he affirmed, "Yes."

The interviewer pointed out the apparent inconsistency, noting that when questioned about "Israel," Borrell claimed not to be a lawyer, prompting concerns about double standards in the West.