The European Union‘s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on the Israeli government on Tuesday to endorse a proposed ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, asserting that it includes all necessary security assurances for Israel.
During a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy, Josep Borrell emphasized that there is no justification for delaying the implementation of the deal with Iran-backed Hezbollah, insisting that pressure should be applied on Israel for immediate approval.
“Let us hope that today (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will endorse the ceasefire agreement put forth by the U.S. and France. No further excuses. No additional demands,” Borrell stated, criticizing hardline Israeli officials who have opposed the agreement.
A senior Israeli official indicated that Israel is poised to approve a U.S. plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Tuesday.
Borrell, who recently visited Lebanon to discuss the potential deal, noted that one of the contentious issues is whether France should be part of a committee overseeing the ceasefire’s implementation, which the U.S. is set to lead.
He mentioned that the Lebanese have specifically requested France’s participation, but Israeli officials have reservations.
“This remains one of the unresolved issues,” he remarked.
Borrell also condemned what he perceives as Western double standards regarding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and a Hamas leader, related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
“You cannot celebrate when the court acts against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and remain silent when it acts against Netanyahu,” he stated, urging EU member states to back the ICC.
Italy, which currently holds the G7 presidency, announced on Monday that it is working to establish a unified stance on the ICC’s decision, although progress is challenging given the U.S. refusal to recognize the court’s jurisdiction and its opposition to the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
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