Kallas rejects the Board of Peace for Gaza: “For the EU, joining is impossible”

Brussels – What strategy should be adopted regarding the war in the Middle East? The European Union has yet to reach a common position on the matter, held back by divergent views that the many parties involved are struggling to reconcile. But one thing is clear: “If we look at the Board of Peace proposals for Gaza, it is impossible, for the EU, to endorse them“. This was stated by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, speaking in the plenary session today (19 May) in Strasbourg during the debate on the Middle East, where she faced a European Parliament sceptical of the EU’s actions.

During the sixty minutes set aside for Question Time on the Middle East, Kallas was quick to clarify Brussels’ position. The High Representative explained that “the Board of Peace’s charter is impossible to accept, because the Peace Council envisaged by the UN Security Council resolution was designed for Palestine, was intended to be temporary, and provided a clear path for the Palestinians.” Whereas all “this is not present in the current Peace Council, which does not even respect the principle of equality of states that usually applies when joining international organisations.”

And while Europeans remain divided over the Association Agreement between the EU and Tel Aviv, the head of European diplomacy returns to the most contentious aspects of the debate, namely those concerning relations with the Jewish state. “I have not proposed suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement; we have carried out an analysis based on the agreement, and the conclusion is that Israel is violating the human rights stipulated in the agreement, but there is no support for suspending the agreement,” she stated.

Among the human rights violations under consideration, Kallas spoke specifically about the condemnation of attacks against Christians in Jerusalem. The High Representative acknowledged the limitations of diplomatic action on the ground. “We have the tools to condemn these acts. We are not on the ground to intervene directly, but this is what we can do. Of course, you too can make your voices heard” from the chambers of Parliament. Kallas then added that “the desecration of religious customs” in various parts of the world is to be considered “unacceptable” and that Brussels is “raising these issues with our Israeli counterparts and with those of other countries where such incidents occur.” Furthermore, “anti-Semitism is a serious problem we are facing” and “we oppose any provocation and unilateral attempt to change the status quo in East Jerusalem, particularly in its Old City, as well as in the sites sacred to all,” the former Estonian prime minister explained.

Turning her attention to the delicate situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the EU High Representative pointed out that the EU “already has naval operations in the region, such as Aspides, and the only thing needed to extend the mission is a change to the operational plans. It is not so much a question of whether everyone agrees. The problem with Aspides now is that it has too few ships. Let’s act together: given the geopolitical context, we must stand united,” Kallas urged.

Finally, during the debate on the EU’s strategy for addressing the current crises in the Middle East, the High Representative’s remarks turned to the domestic situation in Tehran, where Kallas highlighted Europe’s commitment. “We provide support to Iranian civil society. Those working for peace in Iran are afraid, because the number of executions has risen by 68 per cent compared to 2024. But we do have tools at our disposal, such as economic sanctions. Regimes also change when they are weakened sufficiently,” she concluded.