The European Union's failure to hold Israel to account for violations of international law in Gaza has blown a gaping hole through its claims to be a values-based defender of international rules, democracy and human rights. Rarely will anyone soon in the global south listen when western politicians insist on international law, the Middle East analyst Amro Ali argued recently.
Yet for all the criticism of the carte blanche offered to Israel as it hit back against Hamas following the 7 October attack, I have no difficulty believing that many governments in Asia, Africa and the Middle East will continue to do business with the EU, buying its goods and weapons or, like Egypt and Tunisia, taking EU cash in exchange for tougher controls on migrants.
For years now, the EU has worked to put in place an array of initiatives and civil society dialogues in the Arab world and beyond. Having taken part in gatherings with such civil society representatives, I can vouch for their value in creating bonds, forging connections and overcoming misperceptions.
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