The EU’s most pointless job

The EU’s commissioner for condemnation — ahem, foreign policy chief — is on his way out.

As High Representative Josep Borrell prepares to hand over to former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, POLITICO took a look at some of his many statements over the last year deploring various global political outrages.

But have Borrell’s frequent indignant missives — many of which have been helpfully collected by an account on X, the aptly named “Is EU Concerned?” — actually achieved anything?

In reverse chronological order, you be the judge:

Oct. 1, 2024: “The EU condemns in the strongest terms Iran’s attack against Israel. We reiterate our commitment to Israel’s security. This cycle of attacks risks fuelling an uncontrollable regional escalation. We call on all parties to exert maximum restraint.”

What happened: Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Israel on Oct. 1 in what it said was a response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, potentially escalating tensions in the region toward a broader conflict.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Immediately after the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran would “pay,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Tehran would launch a more decisive response should Israel react. 

*****

Sept. 24, 2024: “The EU condemns the ongoing repression in Belarus and the dire situation of more than 1300 political prisoners. Our support for the people of Belarus in their quest for a democratic Belarus will continue.”

What happened: Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko cracked down on political dissent following mass protests in 2020 and 2021, imprisoning more than a thousand dissidents. 

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Although Lukashenko has released a few, 1,300 remain in prison according to Belarusian human rights activists, with some working on a far-right German politician’s onion farm.

*****

Sept. 18, 2024: “The explosions in Lebanon seem to have been targeted, but had heavy, indiscriminate collateral damages among civilians: children were killed. The situation is extremely worrying. I can only condemn these attacks that endanger Lebanon’s security & stability.”

What happened: Thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members were remotely detonated in an attack widely attributed to Israel, killing dozens and injuring thousands.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Israel then bombed and destroyed Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, killing the Iran-backed militant group and political movement’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and this week launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

*****

Sept. 14, 2024: “As G7, we condemn in the strongest possible terms Iran’s export & Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles. Iran must immediately cease all support to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine.”

What happened: The U.S. revealed in September that Iran had provided missiles to Russia for its war on Ukraine.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Russia’s prime minister met the Iranian president on Monday; ties between the allied autocracies remain strong.

*****

Sept. 12, 2024: “I condemn in the strongest terms the Russian shelling of an ICRC truck carrying humanitarian aid in Donetsk region, killing 3 ICRC staffers & injuring others. Under no circumstances can Humanitarian workers be a target. Russia will be held accountable for all its IHL violations.”

What happened? Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling killed three people working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and injured two others in a front-line village in the Donetsk region.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. After the attack on a Red Cross vehicle, Russia has been accused of continuing international humanitarian law violations, including targeting civilian infrastructures, medical facilities and humanitarian workers.

*****

Aug. 10, 2024: “We regret & condemn Minister Smotrich opposition — against the interest of the Israeli people — to a deal. A ceasefire is the only way to stop the killing of civilians and secure the hostages’ release.”

What happened: Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested letting Gazan civilians die of starvation was “justified and moral” in response to Hamas keeping Israeli hostages and spoke out against a cease-fire.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Israel and Hamas have yet to reach a cease-fire, and the far-right faction Smotrich belongs to is increasingly influential in Israeli politics.

*****

Aug. 8, 2024: “I strongly condemn the decision by the Israeli Government to revoke the diplomatic status for Norwegian diplomats dealing with the PA. This is of interest for all working for peace and stability in the Middle East. Full solidarity to Norway.”

What happened: Israel revoked the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats serving as representatives to the Palestinian Authority, in response to what Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz described as Norway’s anti-Israel actions, including its recognition of a Palestinian state.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. The eight diplomats have not yet received their diplomatic status back, however they were all offered the option to apply for a new accreditation. 

*****

July 14, 2024: “Shocked by the news of the attack on President Trump, which I strongly condemn. Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives.”

What happened: Former U.S. President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Trump was shot in the ear and was then treated in hospital. One person died during the rally, and two were severely injured.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Trump got almost shot again while he was golfing on his course in Florida in September. This time, the suspected shooter was stopped in time by Secret Service agents and was later taken into custody.

*****

June 8, 2024: “Shocked by another phisical agression [sic] against a democratically elected leader. I condemn it. My solidarity to @Statsmin Mette Frederiksen. Violence will not determine our political choices.”

What happened: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was shoved in a Copenhagen street. A judge sentenced the attacker, a Polish national, to four months in prison.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Political violence has been rife in Europe in 2024, with more than 50 candidates and their staff attacked during the French elections.

*****

May 31, 2024: “We condemn any attempts to label a U.N. agency as a terrorist organisation.”

What happened: The Israeli parliament passed a preliminary motion to approve a bill designating UNRWA, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, as a “terrorist organization” for its alleged connections with Hamas and other militant groups​.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. The Israeli Knesset has been advancing legislation aimed at formally designating UNRWA as a terrorist entity.

*****

May 17, 2024: “Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia must have no place in the world. Still, LGBTI persons are target of violence & stigmatisation: we condemn this. The EU works on inclusive policies, to build a world in which every person can live free & equal.”

What happened: To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Borrell expressed his support for LGBTQ+ rights as multiple European countries mulled anti-gay and transgender laws.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Bulgaria amended its education code in August to ban LGBTQ+ “ideas and views” in schools, echoing similar laws introduced in Russia and Hungary. Georgia, an EU candidate country, also cracked down on LGBTQ+ rights.

*****

May 16, 2024: “We condemn deliberate targeting of cultural heritage sites. Cultural heritage is a tool for reconciliation & driver for peace.”

What happened: Borrell was speaking on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. According to UNESCO, 438 Ukrainian cultural sites have been damaged since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, including historical buildings, museums and religious monuments. 

*****

May 15, 2024: “I am shocked by the news of the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I comdemn [sic]. Once again we are witnessing unacceptable attacks against political representatives. My thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.”

What happened: Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times on May 15 by a would-be assassin. He survived after emergency surgery.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Yes and no. The Slovak prime minister hasn’t been shot again, but he did receive a bullet in the mail.

*****

May 15, 2024: “The EU urges Israel to end immediately its military operation in Rafah, that is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine & human suffering. We condemn Hamas’ attack in Kerem Shalom. We call on parties to redouble efforts for a ceasefire.”

What happened: Four Israeli soldiers were killed in a Hamas rocket attack at an aid crossing. Meanwhile, Israel launched its offensive in the Palestinian city of Rafah in May, killing hundreds of people and displacing hundreds of thousands. 

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. According to Israeli authorities, Hamas attacked the same aid crossing again later in May. And by August, much of Rafah was razed.

*****

April 13, 2024: “Appalled by the ongoing violence in the West Bank. Settlers resorted to mob violence in several villages causing Palestinian casualties after a 14-year old Israeli was found dead. I strongly condemn this murder and the ongoing escalation of violence.”

What happened: Israeli settlers attacked several Palestinian communities in the West Bank, in response to the killing of Israeli teenager Benjamin Achimeir, killing four Palestinians. 

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Though the worst bloodshed has abated, settler violence in the West Bank, and the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory, has continued.

*****

March 18, 2024: “The presidential elections in Russia took place in a highly restricted environment, with voters deprived of a real choice and systematic internal repression. We condemn the illegal holding of so-called ‘elections’ in the occupied Ukrainian territories.”

What happened: Russia held a presidential election in March, with Vladimir Putin gaining nearly 90 percent of the vote. The election was predictably marred by widespread irregularities and included voting in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nyet. Putin is still president and Russia still holds much of the Ukrainian territories.

*****

Jan. 4, 2024: “The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in the city of Kerman in Iran and expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people.”

What happened: 84 people were killed in a terrorist attack during a memorial ceremony in the city of Kerman in Iran on Jan. 3, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Iran since the 1979 revolution. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the bombing. 

Did the EU’s condemnation change anything? Nope. Since January, ISIS affiliates have carried out more terrorist attacks around the world, including a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in March that killed 21, the mass shooting at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, and multiple assaults targeting civilians in Syria and Iraq.