The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, has proposed to the 27 member states that they suspend the “political dialogue” between the European Union and Israel, diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

Borrell, who is due to leave office next month, made the proposal ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. This political dialogue is provided for under the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union, which came into force in June 2000. Borrell's proposal is highly unlikely to succeed. It was sent to the ambassadors of the 27 member states meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, and several countries immediately voiced their opposition, including Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary and the Czech Republic, according to a European diplomat.

Foreign policy decisions require unanimity among the 27. They had agreed in May to call for a meeting of the Association Council between Israel and the EU, to examine in particular the human rights situation in Gaza, but this meeting has still not taken place, due to a lack of agreement on the agenda.

Relations with Israel divide the 27. Some emphasize Israel's right to defend itself, while others insist on the need to put an end to the fighting and on the Palestinians' right to a state. Ireland and Spain decided in May to recognize a State of Palestine, while other European countries are more reluctant to do so, or feel that the time is not right.