Europe-Israel ties dip over recognition to Palestine

BRUSSELS — Relations between Europe and Israel took a nosedive on the eve of diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state by Ireland, Spain and Norway.

Even though the European Union has been steadfast in condemning the Oct 7 Hamas attack in Israel, the bloc has been equally critical of Israel's ensuing offensive, The Associated Press reported.

The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell threw his full weight to support the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, including the leaders of Hamas.