2023-10-11 05:01:00
From Rome
The war unleashed by Hamas that began on Saturday with the launch of a mega-attack against Israel that caused the death of more than 900 people, and which continued with Israel’s bombing of the Palestinian population, is causing insecurity throughout Europe. But one of the greatest consequences, if certain restrictions are implemented, will be suffered by the Palestinian population, which depends enormously on economic aid from Europe for health care, social assistance for vulnerable families and the salaries of public employees in addition to aid. intended for sectors that manage water resources and energy.
Contradictory news has been spread about the alleged blocking of the economic aid that the EU had planned for Palestine, some 691 million euros in total, with the aim of creating “responsible institutions for a future Palestinian state and support for the birth of a self-sufficient economy.
With controversial comments, different representatives of the European Union spread alleged decisions by the European authorities on the suspension of this aid due to the war. Indeed on Monday, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, the Hungarian Oliver Várhelyi, explained to the press that “all EU payments (to Palestine) have been suspended and ongoing projects will be subject to review.” The Hungarian commissioner’s statements sparked controversy with countries such as Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg and Belgium, which declared themselves in total disagreement. Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, representative of one of the most right-wing governments in Europe at the moment, announced on his behalf that his country will “suspend payments (to the EU) of all types of aid” to Palestine.
The European Commissioner for the Crisis, the Slovenian Lanez Lenarcic, said for his part that “while firmly condemning the terrorist attack by Hamas, it is essential to protect the civilian population. Therefore, EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians in need will continue as long as it is necessary.” And in this he agreed with the German chancellor, Annalena Baerbock. At this time “it would be completely wrong to suspend humanitarian aid essential to the lives of the Palestinian civilian population,” said Baerbock. “Millions of people, including many children, depend on such aid to provide food, water and medicine,” she added.
Italy, despite having a right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – who yesterday went to the Rome Synagogue to express the government’s solidarity for what happened in Israel – is in favor of continuing to offer humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories. , aid that is transferred through United Nations (UN) agencies.
The UN Secretary, Antonio Guterres, when he learned of the words of the Hungarian Commissioner Várhelyi, immediately called the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, who confirmed that a decision of these dimensions requires the approval of all the members of the European Council, that is, from the 27 member countries of the EU, approval that does not exist for now. And the bloc’s spokesman, Eric Mamer, confirmed that EU member states had not even been consulted before Oliver Várhelyi made his announcement.
An EU statement on Monday afternoon clarified that no payments were in progress these days, so nothing would be suspended. But the program will be reviewed to “ensure that no funding indirectly favors a terrorist organization capable of carrying out attacks against Israel.”
More concrete news was expected after the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU that was held this Tuesday and to which the Foreign Minister of Israel, Eli Cohen, and his Palestinian counterpart Riyad Al-Maliki were also invited.
Europe’s fears and reactions
The war unleashed between Israel and Hamas, if it continues, could have dire consequences throughout the Middle East but also in Europe. Consequences that some have put on the same level as those unleashed by the war in Ukraine. And there is talk that it could increase the prices of oil and gas, as stressed by the Minister of Companies and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso.
Of many of the countries that could be involved if the war goes ahead, such as Algeria, Libya, Egypt and others, Italy receives energy supplies, especially gas. And that could hurt her greatly.
“A total invasion with disproportionate attacks targeting Palestinian civilians would have destabilizing consequences for both Israel and Palestine,” European Council analyst and Foreign Affairs expert Hugh Lovatt told Euronews television. “Europeans should uphold Israel’s right to self-defense but also press for a response that respects international law,” he added, further stressing that Europe should work with Arab countries that can act as mediators, particularly Egypt and Qatar.
Meanwhile, given the possibility that Hamas will ally with other Islamic terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah (which fought in Lebanon in 1982 against Israel) or others, to commit attacks in other countries, several European nations are lifting their security measures to protect Jewish places. such as synagogues, schools, museums. Firstly, France, which suffered several terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists in recent decades, but also the United Kingdom, which, in addition to security measures, announced “zero tolerance” against the “glorification of terrorism.” Germany and Italy have increased their security measures as well.
In Arab countries, however, such as Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, numerous demonstrations in support of the Palestinians were held on Saturday and Sunday. Curiously, there was also a similar demonstration in Rome, organized by students of one of the most prestigious universities in Italy, La Sapienza of Rome. And the young people stressed that the Palestinian people defend their own homeland and have nothing to do with terrorists.
#Europe #contradicts #aid #Palestinians #Hungary #Austria #talked #suspending #support #Spain #Belgium #Italy #Germany #opposed