Israeli ambassador slams EU criticism of 'Israel' amid Gaza war
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As criticism mounts within the European Union over "Israel's" actions in Gaza, Ambassador Haim Regev warns Brussels that punitive measures will undermine EU influence in the Middle East and damage bilateral ties.
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Protesters carry a banner reading 'Israel Genocidal State, the EU and NATO Accomplices' while marching in support of the Palestinians in Gaza during a demonstration in Madrid, on June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul White)
"Israel" is "a dream" neighbor for the European Union, and critics within the bloc should abandon their "self-defeating obsession" with human rights in Gaza, according to outgoing Israeli ambassador to Brussels, Haim Regev.
In an interview with Politico on Wednesday, ahead of his return to Tel Aviv after four years, Regev lashed out at countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia for leading the European outcry over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He also cautioned France, Germany, and the UK that their increasing criticism of "Israel" only emboldens what he termed “Hamas terrorists” and “antisemites.”
Relations between "Israel" and the EU have sharply deteriorated in recent weeks amid growing condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The European Commission has issued warnings over a potential famine unfolding in the territory and suggested suspending parts of the EU-"Israel" Association Agreement related to research and development.
According to Politico, despite these concerns, the suspension has been stalled, primarily due to opposition from Germany and other member states unwilling to penalize "Israel" through institutional channels.
Regev, who signed the Horizon Europe research agreement on behalf of "Israel", expressed concern not over the economic implications but over the message such actions would send. "Trying to use ‘pressure’ to influence Israel has never worked and it will never work," he said. "If Horizon or parts of it are suspended, the EU risks losing its role in shaping the future of the Middle East."
He stressed that undermining EU-"Israel" collaboration would dismantle progress achieved in recent years, warning, "Once it will happen, I don’t see the EU playing any role."
Fractures within the European Commission
Tensions within Brussels are growing. Politico stated that some Commission staff have threatened to strike in protest over the war on Gaza, adding that President Ursula von der Leyen’s team remains divided over how to respond, with increasing vocal opposition to Netanyahu’s plans, including proposals for a full occupation of Gaza.
Regev remains optimistic about certain diplomatic channels, pointing to discussions between EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar as signs of a continuing foundation for strong relations. However, he warned that any suspension of cooperation agreements would dismantle this fragile trust.
"We are basically a dream for the EU of a neighboring country," Regev said. "We are a democracy, there is no issue with migration, gay rights. It’s a dream. At the end of the road Israel is the only player in the region that serves directly the interests of the EU."
As mentioned in the report, Regev also criticized the Netherlands for joining the group of more critical EU members and expressed disappointment in Germany’s recent decision to halt arms exports that could be used in Gaza. "We do not accept that. We don’t think it is a step that Germany should take. At the end of the road, Europe knows the history of Israel, and the Jews, especially the Jews," he said.
He voiced alarm over rising antisemitism in Europe, claiming it has become dangerous for Jews in many parts of the continent. "The rise of antisemitism is something we are also very concerned about. We see the numbers. It has become a danger to be here [in Europe] a Jew," Regev said. "We are going back to old days. Some of it new antisemitism, some of it old antisemitism. And it’s not safe."
The report stresses that while acknowledging that support for "Israel" in the EU peaked after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, this support has waned significantly as the war persisted.
"Criticism of Israel over the Gaza war and the suffering of Palestinians are used by some who launch attacks on Jews in Europe. It’s definitely used for that. Whenever anybody says something, there are consequences," Regev said.
The European Union's complicity in the Israeli genocide
On Tuesday, in an interview with Jacobin, Marc Botenga, MEP for the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB) and vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Left group, emphasized the European Union's complicity in "Israel's" crimes in the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the European Union's review of the EU-"Israel" Association Agreement after the death toll in Gaza reached 60,000, Botenga condemned the ongoing atrocities in Gaza; from starvation, executions, to mass killings, while noting the absurd delay of EU institutions in acknowledging what UN experts, courts, and Israeli human rights groups already confirm: "Israel" is committing genocide.
He criticized the EU's inaction, noting that while its own review confirmed "Israel's" human rights violations, which legally justify suspending their agreement, European leaders still refused to impose sanctions, delaying any decision until autumn. He stressed that no other state would enjoy such impunity.
