Speaking at the plenary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday 9 September, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, admitted that it would be difficult for the EU27 to agree on possible sanctions against Israel, which is continuing its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, while only a trickle of humanitarian aid is being delivered, leaving the population on the brink of famine.
“There is no unity on what should come next”, said Ms Kallas, underlining the work carried out over the last few months and even admitting, at the end of the debate, a certain personal frustration at the persistent splits within the Council of the EU.
“Our options for more action are clear and remain on the table, but Member States disagree on how to get the Israeli Government to change course. That is why several Member States have now taken national measures in response to the actions of the Israeli Government”, added the High Representative.
“But we cannot move as a union until Member States share the same view on what to do”, she continued, calling for continued diplomatic efforts with the government of the Jewish state.
Towards what European Parliament resolution? Tuesday morning’s debate once again revealed a divide between the most right-wing groups in Parliament and those from the centre to the radical left, over whether or not to impose sanctions on Israel, whether or not to describe the attacks on the civilian population as ‘genocide’ and whether or not to promote the two-state solution.
As far as the Christian Democrat group is concerned, Antonio López-Istúriz White (EPP, Spanish) felt that “the EU has a responsibility to act as an honest mediator, with coherence, unity and determination.”
“Peace, dignity and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians will only be possible if we leave behind the rhetoric of hatred and focus on reconciliation and coexistence”, added the MEP, after expressing his reservations about the measures taken by the Spanish government on Monday 8 September against Israel (see EUROPE 13704/10), which, according to the MEP, risk “weakening the fight against terrorism and increasing instability in the region”.
On behalf of the Social Democrats, Giannis Maniatis (S&D, Greek) observed that it was “clear” that “the Israeli Prime Minister is not interested in peace”.
“He does not want an agreement that would put an end to the war and allow all the hostages to return to their families. His sole objective is the total destruction of Gaza and the expulsion of its population”, he declared, calling on his counterparts to prepare a “strong” resolution, which would in particular demand “the immediate freezing of [the EU’s] association agreement with Israel”.
On behalf of the Patriots for Europe, António Tânger Corrêa (Portuguese) emphasised the responsibility of Islamist terrorist group Hamas. According to him, Hamas could put an immediate end to hostilities by releasing the Israeli hostages still being held. He also rejected any prospect of recognition of a future Palestinian state.
For the conservatives and reformists, Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR, Dutch) called for no sanctions against Israel, but to concentrate on freeing the hostages, dismantling Hamas and providing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. “Israel has a very great responsibility in this respect”, he stressed.
Hilde Vautmans (Renew Europe, Belgian), speaking on behalf of the Liberals, reiterated the urgent need for Europe not to remain a “spectator”. “More than 132,000 children are at risk of dying while these aid lorries are prevented from passing. Civilians are shot because they queue up for a piece of bread. This is not a tragedy, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a crime. And I want Europe to stop being an accomplice”, declared the MEP, calling in particular for the imposition of sanctions and a halt to arms exports “which fuel war crimes”.
“Genocide”? “The debate about the wording is splitting Europe and it’s not helping us. It is not bringing us more credibility, more power, more influence on the global stage and also towards our Israeli partners”, said Manfred Weber (EPP, German) on Tuesday morning. The leader of the Christian Democrats had been questioned by the press about the desire of the S&D and Greens/EFA groups to include the term “genocide” of the Palestinians in the draft resolution on which MEPs are due to vote on Thursday. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)