Head Of EU Foreign Policy Warns Potential Spread Of Conflict In Gaza Strip

Josep Borrell. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - EU main diplomat Josep Borrell warned that the escalating emotions due to the war between Israel and Hamas could trigger violence outside the Middle East region.

Borrell said the conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip could pose a danger to Europe.

"We can't let that happen, because security on our roads relies on us to prevent it," Borrell said Wednesday, quoted by The National News Oct. 19.

"Geopolitical relies on us to prevent the conflict," Borrell said.

A statement issued Tuesday by Al Azhar criticizing the West and urging Palestinians to remain steadfast and fight Israel raises "major concerns," Borrell said.

Headquartered in Cairo, Al Azhar is the world's leading Sunni Islamic learning center. His remarks came after more than 500 Palestinians were killed in attacks on hospitals in Gaza.

"The world's people must drastically reconsider their dependence on the arrogant West. The West, despite all its resources and destructive tools, is weak when dealing with land owners in Palestine," reads a statement from Al Azhar, referring to the confrontation with Europe-West America.

However, Borrell also said Israel's right to self-defense should be limited.

"I think we all agree in saying that the right to defense, like any other right, has a limit," he said.

"And, in this case, these boundaries are boundaries set by international law and, in particular, international humanitarian law. All of this is clear, and we can repeat it, but repeating it will not put us forward in the necessary reflection that guides the action," said Borrell.

The EU has come under fire for its response to the war between Israel and Hamas. The European Commission, the bloc's executive body, had to withdraw the announcement of the suspension of all aid to Palestine, following the Hamas attack that killed 1,400 Israelis on October 7.

Israel signaled earlier this year that Borrell was not allowed to visit the country, following critical comments on Israel's policy in the occupied West Bank.

Borrell himself said the EU should respond to the Middle East conflict with "tensify, humanity, consistency, and proactive political attitudes towards the conflict."

He called on the international community to realize that they have not made enough efforts in the last 30 years to encourage peace.

"Every day we call for a two-state solution, but as the United Nations states: what do you do to achieve that, apart from calling for it?" Borrell said.