2023-10-18 00:59:27
The President of the Council, Charles Michel, reminded Israel this Tuesday that “an attack against a civil infrastructure is not in line with community legislation”, in reference to the information about the bombing of a hospital in Gaza that would have claimed the lives of more than 500 people. Some events that have emerged while the heads of State and Government of the Twenty-seven were meeting in a video conference to analyze the situation in the Middle East.
Despite this, Michel specified that this information had to be confirmed. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, criticized for her support for Israel, has declined to comment on what happened because she believes she does not have enough data. Michel has also highlighted that Israel’s total blockade of the Gaza Strip, which includes basic needs such as electricity, food and fuel, also does not respect international law.
The Twenty-Seven have analyzed the situation in the Middle East and have agreed on a plan to coordinate positions and not fall into the contradictions of these days, which includes working on the arrival of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian civilian population, collaborating with international allies to avoid extension of the conflict, establishing a partnership with Egypt to face the looming migratory flows and better coordination of the secret services in the face of a possible polarization of European societies. Just after the attacks in France and Belgium, Michel has warned of an increase in hate speech and anti-Semitism.
This meeting has been preceded by a week full of contradictory messages after which the figure of the president of the European Commission has been seriously damaged. During her trip to Israel last Friday with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the German politician at no time mentioned that the Jewish State’s response had to be in accordance with international legality. A message that contradicted that expressed by the European foreign ministries days before and that was interpreted as a carte blanche for the Government of Benjamin Netanjahu.
After the criticism received, in a statement issued last Saturday Von der Leyen made this allusion to international legality while announcing the increase in aid for the Palestinian civilian population to 75 million euros, triple what was initially budgeted. . After contacts throughout the weekend, this past Sunday the European foreign ministries reached a common text in which they strongly condemned the crimes committed by Hamas, but asked Israel to respect international legislation that includes the protection of “all civilians.” at all times”. Although this Tuesday’s meeting was intended to correct all the mistakes made so far, the big question is whether the European Union will be able to overcome its differences and become a relevant actor in this conflict whose ramifications can extend to the entire region. This Tuesday’s meeting has also served for European leaders to ensure that this conflict will not diminish support for Ukraine.
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