Israeli officials have said that they will not meet with the European Union's (EU) high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borrell, should he visit Israel. This follows

comments made by Borrell equating Palestinian terrorist attacks with operations carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). While no visit by Borrell has been requested, an Israeli official told the Associated Press that he would have to arrive as a private citizen with no expectations of assistance from the government.

In an article published last week on the commentary site Project Syndicate, Borrell wrote that "violence on the part of Israeli settlers in the West Bank is increasingly threatening Palestinian lives and livelihoods—almost always with impunity. Moreover, Israeli military operations frequently cause civilian Palestinian deaths, often without effective accountability; illegal settlements are expanding on occupied land; and the delicate status quo concerning Holy Sites is eroding."

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticized Borrell's remarks during a phone conversation with him on Tuesday. Cohen said, "There is no room for comparison or balancing between the victims of terrorism on the Israeli side and the Palestinian terrorists supported by the Palestinian Authority." Cohen also criticized Borrell for a debate held on Tuesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, titled "Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories," which featured harsh criticism of Israel from some MEPs who took to the podium.

The decision by Israeli officials not to meet with Borrell comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undertaking a series of diplomatic visits to EU member states. Last month, he visited France, and this month he is visiting Italy and Germany before flying to Britain later in March.

The situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories is complex and multifaceted. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-standing dispute that has been ongoing for decades. There have been numerous attempts to broker a lasting peace agreement, but progress has been slow, and violence has continued.

Borrell's comments reflect the views of many in the international community who are concerned about the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories. There are ongoing issues with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. There are also concerns about the treatment of Palestinians in the territories, including restrictions on movement and access to basic services.

However, Israel has its own concerns about security and the threat of terrorism. The country has faced numerous attacks from Palestinian militants, and it sees its military operations as necessary for self-defense. Israel also believes that it has a right to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks and that it is the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority to prevent such attacks.

The decision by Israeli officials not to meet with Borrell may be seen as a snub by some in the international community. However, it is not uncommon for countries to refuse to meet with officials from other nations who they believe have made inappropriate or offensive remarks. The decision also comes at a time when Netanyahu is seeking to strengthen ties with EU member states, and the Israeli government may not want to risk damaging those relationships.

In conclusion, the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories is complex, and there are no easy solutions. While Borrell's comments reflect the concerns of many in the international community, Israel has its own concerns about security and terrorism. The decision by Israeli officials not to meet with Borrell may be seen as a snub, but it is not uncommon for countries to refuse to meet with officials who they believe have made inappropriate remarks. Ultimately, progress towards peace and stability in the region will require dialogue, cooperation, and compromise from all parties involved. Photo by European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia commons.