EU summit fails to agree on declaration on Middle East conflict
In principle, however, there is a great deal of agreement that Israel should be allowed to defend itself against Hamas in accordance with international law, Michel continued. "There are intensive discussions on this within the Union," said Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer. "But what unites us is a clear commitment to humanitarian aid for the people on the ground."
Ireland, Belgium, Spain and Malta had campaigned for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), on the other hand, reiterated: "Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens against this attack." It was of course clear that this had to be done within the framework of international humanitarian law.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar criticized the stance of Germany, Austria and others. These countries believed that the demand for a ceasefire would "prevent Israel from pursuing the Hamas terrorists", he said. "I cannot agree with this interpretation. You can go after terrorists without engaging in the kind of war and destruction that Israel is engaged in in Gaza at the moment."
Varadkar called for more pressure on the Israeli government. "Their failure to grant the Palestinians their own state" must affect relations between Israel and the EU in the future, he said. "It will not be the same as it was before this war." Belgium's head of government Alexander De Croo agreed with him: "The killing of innocent civilians really must stop now."
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized overly diplomatic language towards Israel: "We cannot say out loud, for example, that more children have died in Gaza in two months than in the entire year 2023 worldwide in armed conflicts," said Fico, who has never been an outspoken defender of Israel or the Palestinians.
Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Malta had previously called for a "serious debate" on the "humanitarian catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip in a joint letter. Countries with close ties to Israel, such as Germany and Austria, came under pressure, but apparently did not give in. The draft declaration for the EU summit included a placeholder for a section on the Middle East conflict. According to AFP, this part will now be omitted.
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- Despite the disagreement, Karl Nehammer echoed Michel's sentiment, acknowledging the need for intensive discussions within the EU about Israel's right to defend itself.
- Ireland, led by Leo Varadkar, opposed this stance, arguing that a ceasefire demand would not prevent Israel from tackling Hamas terrorists.
- Varadkar criticized the destruction in Gaza, calling for more pressure on Israel to resolve the conflict and grant Palestinians their own state.
- Belgium's Alexander De Croo backed Varadkar, expressing concern over the killing of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.
- Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the diplomatic language towards Israel, noting the high number of child casualties in Gaza.
- The joint call for a "serious debate" on the crisis in Gaza from Spain, Ireland, Belgium, and Malta put pressure on Germany and Austria, who seemed to persist in their stance.
- A placeholder for a section on the Middle East conflict was included in the draft declaration for the EU summit, but reports suggested that this part would be omitted.
- This development disappointed some EU members, as they had hoped for a stronger stance on the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
- Olaf Scholz maintained Germany's support for Israel's right to defend itself and its citizens, aligning with Austria's position on the issue.
- In Brussels, Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, expressed his desire to find a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict.
- Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, was criticized for its actions and the resulting suffering of the civilian population.
- The EU summit failed to reach an agreement on a declaration addressing the Middle East conflict, leaving some members feeling disappointed and frustrated.
- Spain, one of the EU members advocating for stronger action, expressed its concern over the EU's inability to take a clearer stance on the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Source: www.stern.de
