EU Gaza criticism “plays into hands of Hamas,” says Israeli ambassador

Israel is “a dream” neighbour for the European Union, and critics within the bloc should drop their self-defeating focus on human rights in Gaza, according to Israel’s ambassador to Brussels, Haim Regev.

In a final interview with POLITICO before returning to Tel Aviv after four years, Regev condemned criticism from Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia, while warning leaders in France, Germany, and the U.K. that their recent remarks play into the hands of Hamas and antisemites.

Regev appealed to the EU not to suspend Israel from parts of the Horizon Europe research program or reduce trade ties, saying such measures would backfire and cost Europe influence in shaping the Middle East. “Trying to use ‘pressure’ to influence Israel has never worked and it will never work,” he said. He added that suspending Horizon or similar agreements would send a damaging message and could undo years of diplomatic progress, leaving the EU without a meaningful role in the region.

Relations between Israel and the EU have deteriorated in recent weeks amid intensified criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The European Commission has warned of a looming famine in Gaza and proposed suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on research and development, citing Israel’s breach of human rights obligations under the deal. The proposal has been blocked so far, with countries including Germany unwilling to support punitive measures.

Regev, who personally signed the Horizon agreement, said he hoped it would remain intact and predicted insufficient support among EU members for harsher measures, including trade reductions. He noted that EU backing for Israel had peaked after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and had gradually eroded as the war dragged on. “We are at a T-junction in the sense of where the EU wants to take those relations,” he said.

Recent talks between EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on the humanitarian situation had built trust and consolidated a “strong” foundation, Regev said, warning that suspending parts of the association agreement would destroy that goodwill. “We are basically a dream for the EU of a neighboring country. We are a democracy, there is no issue with migration, gay rights. It’s a dream. At the end of the road, Israel is the only player in the region that serves directly the interests of the EU,” he said.

Inside Brussels, opinions differ. While Regev maintained good relations with key Commission figures, some EU staff have threatened strikes over Gaza, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s team is divided on how to respond, with several officials openly criticizing Netanyahu’s proposals, including a full military occupation of Gaza.

Regev also expressed disappointment at the Netherlands joining the bloc of critical countries and opposed Germany’s recent ban on arms exports that could be used in Gaza. “We do not accept that. At the end of the road, Europe knows the history of Israel and the Jews,” he said.

He warned that antisemitism in Europe is rising and becoming dangerous, noting that criticism of Israel over Gaza is often exploited by those who attack Jews. “The rise of antisemitism is something we are very concerned about. It has become a danger to be here [in Europe] as a Jew. Some of it is new antisemitism, some old antisemitism,” he said. “Whenever anybody says something, there are consequences.”

By Tamilla Hasanova