Singled out for criticism by nearly 850 European officials for her pro-Israeli bias expressed after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel (see EUROPE 13276/19), the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was keen on Saturday 21 October to reassure Commission staff of the efforts she is undertaking “around the clock to alleviate the suffering of ALL those affected by the indiscriminate terror attacks”, in particular by tripling humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“I want to reassure you that Europe will always be on the side of humanity and of human rights”, emphasised Ms von der Leyen in a written message published on the European Commission’s Intranet site.
The former German Defence Minister says she understands that this crisis affects European officials personally, as some of those killed or taken hostage by Hamas may be relatives or friends. According to her, “some of you may even feel uneasy”, particularly after the terrorist attacks in France and Belgium, or even “vulnerable because of who you are and what you believe in”, while colleagues posted to EU delegations are working “in very difficult security and emotional conditions”.
Asserting that she will always defend human rights, Ms von der Leyen also promised to spare no effort to achieve “a lasting peace” in the Middle East “based on the two-state solution, as reconfirmed recently by the European Council” (see EUROPE 13272/1). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)