WANA (Jul 16) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has criticized the European Union for its continued inaction in the face of Israel’s ongoing crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, saying such inaction reflects a broader effort by Western powers to silence dissenting voices.

 

Baghaei’s remarks came in response to a social media post by former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who condemned the EU Council’s failure to take action against Israel for violations of the Association Agreement’s human rights clause.

 

Borrell wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

 

“The EU Council failed yesterday to take a decision on Israel’s violation of the Association Agreement’s Human Rights clause. But this is in itself a decision: Europe decides not to punish Israel’s continued war crimes and allows the Gaza genocide to proceed unabated.”

 

Quoting Borrell’s statement, Baghaei wrote:

 

“And this is just in line with the U.S. sanctioning of Palestine Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, to silence any critic of Israel’s continuing genocide and atrocity crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.”

 

Baghaei’s remarks align with Iran’s broader stance that Western powers are enabling Israel’s actions by stifling international criticism, particularly of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Palestinian territories.

A man holds an anti-U.S. banner during a rally in support of Gaza

A man holds an anti-U.S. banner during a rally in support of Gaza, in Tehran, Iran, April 11, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)