On Thursday 23 April, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, took note of the political agreement regarding formation of a government of national unity in Israel, and expressed his willingness to cooperate “closely” with the new government in the battle against the coronavirus.
“Technical cooperation is ongoing and will be strengthened on all aspects of the pandemic. The health of our citizens and addressing the economic consequences of the coronavirus are our shared paramount priority”, he said in a statement.
On 20 April, after 16 months of political crisis, Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz agreed to form an emergency government to tackle COVID-19 and its consequences, but also to rapidly annex most of the West Bank. The vote to annex Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley could take place as early as July.
Mr Borrell warned that the EU did not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the “occupied West Bank” and that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law. “The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly”, he warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)