European leaders reiterated, on Tuesday 17 October, Israel’s right to defend itself, but in compliance with international law and international humanitarian law.
“It’s a question of standing up for peace, international law and international humanitarian law everywhere, at all times”, stressed the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the end of the virtual meeting attended by all the heads of state or government apart from Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. “We must be very firm, civilians must be protected”, he added.
On X (formerly Twitter), Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte explained that the EU supported “Israel’s right to defend itself against the Hamas terror, exercised proportionately and in compliance with the humanitarian law of war”. “The need to protect innocent civilians is self-evident”, he insisted.
Protecting “the most vulnerable and the most fragile”
Recalling the declaration adopted by the EU27 on Sunday (see EUROPE 13272/1), Mr Michel emphasised support for the “most vulnerable and fragile” populations and the importance of humanitarian action, stressing the desire to cooperate with the United Nations. He called for humanitarian access for people in need.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, recalled that her institution had tripled its humanitarian aid to Gaza and set up an air bridge to be able to rapidly deliver aid to the population. “We are in contact with the Egyptian authorities to allow this aid to enter Gaza” from Egypt, where European Commission staff are on site to prepare for this, she explained.
“We are also explaining to the Israeli authorities that providing water to Gaza is essential, this is a basic human right”, warned Mrs von der Leyen.
The President of the European Council was keen to express his “emotion” at the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, which is thought to have killed more than 500 people, saying it showed “the dramatic situation on the ground for the population”. “An attack on civilian infrastructure does not comply with international law”, said Mr Michel, who also denounced the blockade imposed by Israel. “When you cut off basic infrastructure, when you don’t allow food to be supplied, that’s not in line with international law”, he warned.
No contradiction between solidarity with Israel and aid for Palestinians in Gaza
Criticised for her positions and her trip to Israel without consultation, the President of the European Commission appeared to make a mea culpa. “There is no contradiction in standing with Israel in solidarity and acting for the humanitarian needs for the Palestinians”, she explained, reiterating that Israel had the right to defend itself “in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law”.
Similarly, while the Commission has been singled out for criticism over its communication on funds going to the Palestinians, Ms von der Leyen made it clear that she was not aware of any EU funding going to any terrorist organisation “and it has to stay like this”. She explained that it was for this reason that the Commission was re-examining the funds earmarked for the Palestinians, in coordination with the Member States, which are re-examining the distribution of their funds. According to her, around 10% of the Palestinian Authority’s funding comes from the EU.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala went further, calling for “strict control” of humanitarian aid, “because we must be sure that it is not misused by Hamas terrorists”.
The European leaders also came back on the hostage situation in Gaza. According to the Israeli authorities, 199 people are being held by Hamas, some of them of European nationality.
Mr Michel said that the leaders had stressed the importance of supporting “those in the region” who are trying to mediate for their release. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, announced on Tuesday that his country had received requests from several countries for the release of their citizens and that Turkey had therefore “begun discussions, in particular with the political wing of Hamas”.
Mr Michel once again called for the unconditional release of all hostages. He also explained that the EU was working with Egypt on the evacuation of foreigners from Gaza.
Active engagement with regional partners
The leaders also “discussed at length”, according to the President of the European Council, the need for active engagement with Israel and all the partners in the region, and even beyond, to avoid an escalation of tensions in the region, “which would represent a major danger”. In particular, this involves assessing the situation in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, the neighbouring countries of Israel and Gaza.
In this context, the European leaders raised the issue of migration caused by the possible evacuation of civilians from the Gaza Strip. However, Egypt has made it known “loud and clear” that it is opposed to the opening of the Rafah border crossing, pointed out Mr Michel. Although the country considers that an exodus would compromise the achievement of a two-state solution, it “is already hosting a substantial number of refugees“, emphasised Ms von der Leyen, calling for support for the Egyptian authorities.
“It’s important to engage with Egypt [...] to address a broad partnership, including in migration, including in cooperating to facilitate possible humanitarian access to Gaza”, added Mr Michel.
Jordan announced as well that it will not take in Palestinians from Gaza.
The heads of state or government also reiterated their commitment to a lasting peace process, with a two-state solution.
Ensuring internal security
In addition, the leaders discussed the repercussions of the crisis within the EU. They began their meeting with a minute of silence for “all the victims” in Israel and Palestine, but also in France and Belgium, following the terrorist attacks of recent days.
“This is a conflict that has a lot of resonance across the world and that is generating a lot of […] polarisation among our societies”, Mr Michel conceded. “Terror is resurfacing and the Member States are highly vigilant to this topic”, added Ms von der Leyen.
They agreed on the need to “cooperate at EU level to try to defuse tensions, to prevent security risks and to strengthen the cooperation among our security services”, said the President of the European Council. At the same time, the leaders called for the fight against “all forms of hatred”, from antisemitism to islamophobia.
Ukraine must not be forgotten
While the eyes of the international community seem to be focused on the Middle East, Ms von der Leyen and Mr Michel were keen to reiterate the EU’s support for Ukraine.
“Some people think that they can distract us from supporting Ukraine and that we have to choose whom to support. We will prove them wrong”, promised the former, while the latter reiterated that “it is our duty, our responsibility to remain extremely determined to support Ukraine for as long as necessary”. Assistance to Ukraine, and in particular the financial support to be provided, will be discussed by European leaders at their EU Council meeting on 26 and 27 October. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Hélène Seynaeve, with Isalia Stieffatre)