Israeli Ambassador Warns of Diplomatic Erosion with EU Amid Gaza War

Israel's Ambassador to the European Union, Haim Regev, has cautioned about a gradual 'diplomatic erosion' in Israel's relationship with the EU amid ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, highlighting fading European public and political support due to disturbing images from the war. Despite this erosion, Regev affirmed that Israel's Foreign Ministry is actively engaging in an intensive diplomatic campaign to counteract negative shifts and has successfully prevented the EU from suspending its pivotal Association Agreement, with 10 of the 27 EU member states backing Israel to avoid consensus on cancellation. The EU has nonetheless initiated a review of this agreement, citing alleged human rights violations and calling for an end to hostilities and a lifting of humanitarian aid restrictions in Gaza. Regev also expressed concern about a French-Saudi initiative to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming United Nations conference, which poses a significant diplomatic challenge. European countries such as the UK, France, and Canada have voiced opposition to Israel's military actions and settlement expansions, warning of potential concrete responses if hostilities and aid restrictions persist. Overall, Israel faces mounting diplomatic pressures in Europe, with public opinion and governmental stances increasingly influenced by the humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict dynamics.