The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called for the protection of civilians in the Middle East at the end of an informal meeting of European foreign ministers on Tuesday 10 October.
The Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers were invited to take part in the discussion, but this did not materialise.
Mr Borrell said that all the European ministers had condemned the terrorist attacks and any attack against civilians, called for the release of the Israeli hostages and the protection of civilians, and demanded respect for international humanitarian law. “And that means no blockage of water, food or electricity to the civilian population, opening humanitarian corridors and facilitating the departure of those fleeing the bombardments from Gaza to Egypt”, warned Mr Borrell, referring to the siege announced by Israel of the Gaza Strip.
“Certain actions (by Israel, editor’s note) do not comply with international law. This is a critical moment when the reaction to the barbaric attack perpetrated by Hamas is provoking a situation in which we must remember that the right to defence must be exercised within the framework of international law, which means that everyone must respect international humanitarian law”, he added.
For Mr Borrell, support for the Palestinian Authority must continue
The High Representative returned to the review of aid to the Palestinians announced by the European Commission. Reiterating that “not all Palestinians are terrorists”, he said that “collective punishment of all Palestinians would therefore be unjust and unproductive and would run counter to our interests and those of peace”.
According to Mr Borrell, “by an overwhelming majority, with two or three exceptions”, the Member States clearly stated that cooperation with the Palestinian Authority should continue, that funding should continue and that payments should not be interrupted.
“It would be a serious mistake, at this critical time, to stop supporting the Palestinian Authority. It would be a mistake, because it would be the best gift we could give to Hamas and it would jeopardise our interests and our partnership with the Arab world”, he said.
The day before, the Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy, Olivér Várhelyi, had announced the suspension of all development aid to the Palestinians (see EUROPE 13267/1). According to European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer, this announcement was made without consulting the other members of the European Commission.
In a press release published on the evening of 9 October, the Commission announced that it was launching an urgent review of EU aid to Palestine - i.e. aid to the Palestinian Authority and projects, and to UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees). In 2023, €82 million has already been paid to UNRWA and a further €10 million could be allocated. For the Palestinian Authority and projects, no funds have yet been spent in 2023, but €168 million could be allocated under the 2023 budget.
“The Commission will carry out this review as soon as possible and coordinate with Member States and partners any follow up action necessary”, says the press release, which adds that, “in the meantime, as there were no payments foreseen, there will be no suspension of payments”.
“In addition to the existing safeguards, the objective of this review is to ensure that no EU funding indirectly enables any terrorist organisation to carry out attacks against Israel”, according to the Commission. It will also examine whether, “in the light of the changed circumstances on the ground”, its aid programmes for the Palestinian population and the Palestinian Authority need to be adjusted.
“This review must not be used as an excuse to delay the implementation of our cooperation. It must be implemented quickly”, warned the High Representative.
The European Commission has made it clear that the review will not affect humanitarian aid provided under European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). In 2023, humanitarian aid will amount to €27.9 million.
Preparing for the future
Mr Borrell also called for preparations to be made for the “day after”. The High Representative said that it was necessary to strengthen the EU’s cooperation with the Arab world and “recalibrate and improve” the initiative taken with the Arab League, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in order to relaunch the Arab peace plan.
In his opinion, it is necessary to “remind the world that the Palestinian problem still exists, that making peace between the Arab countries and Israel is a good thing and that it is necessary. But we must also make peace with the Palestinians”. “Otherwise, the cycle of violence will resume”, warned the head of European diplomacy.
MEPs show solidarity with Israel
Earlier in the day, MEPs from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs met in camera with representatives of the European Commission’s European External Action Service and Directorate-General for Neighbourhood Policy (DG NEAR), as well as Israel’s ambassador to the EU, to discuss the situation.
“Our colleagues of all political persuasions expressed their full solidarity with Israel on the occasion of this brutal and outrageous terrorist attack”, said David McAllister (EPP, German), the Chair of the parliamentary committee, at the end of the one and a half-hour meeting.
He added that the situation in the Middle East would certainly be debated at the next plenary session.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also announced a solemn commemoration on Wednesday 11 October at 12.45pm for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Israel this past weekend. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)