Borrell criticized possible EU measures against Israel for being frivolous.

The possible measures of the European Union (EU) against Israel, which would suspend the country's participation in the Horizon Europe research program, are not serious. This was announced on August 1 by the former high representative of the Association for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrel.

The European Commission (EC) proposed to partially suspend Israel's participation in the Horizon Europe program on July 29. According to the statement, in particular, this concerns the participation of organizations registered in the Jewish country in events funded under the Accelerator program of the European Innovation Council (EIC).

"If this is the only response the European Commission is capable of regarding Israel's actions, then it's a joke. A bad joke. And the EU member states couldn't even approve it," he said in an interview with the EUobserver portal.

In his opinion, the EU could introduce more serious measures than those that are currently known. In particular, Borrell expressed the opinion that the EC should consider suspending trade relations with Israel.

Take the treaty: Israel and Hamas resume dialogue on the future of Gaza

The Palestinian movement continues to hold 50 hostages

Earlier, on July 31, Euractiv reported on the Swedish government's call for the EU to suspend the trade agreement with Israel. The corresponding measure was proposed in order to put pressure on the authorities of the Jewish state against the background of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

Before that, on July 27, journalist Muhammad Mattar told Izvestia about queues near a charity kitchen in the Gaza Strip. According to him, the food crisis in the region has worsened due to the closure of checkpoints, the shelling of the charity kitchen and its employees by Israel.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.