EU leaders speak out over attacks on blue helmets but refrain from taking action against Israel

Israel’s attacks on UN Blue Helmets deployed in Lebanon are “a serious violation of international law, completely unacceptable and must be stopped immediately” for EU leaders, but Benjamin Netanyahu is red enough to take action against him There is no line. The heads of government of the 27 countries accused Tel Aviv for the first time of failing to adhere to international legality – on which no consensus has yet been reached despite thousands of deaths in Gaza – an issue Represents a raising of tone after more than a year of the massacre.

“The European Council is deeply concerned by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and the threat it poses to the entire region. “All parties are called upon to act with maximum restraint, immediately cease all hostilities, and fully respect international law, including international humanitarian law,” state the conclusions of the leaders of the 27 who have held talks. Leaders with different sensibilities regarding Israel, such as Pedro Sánchez and Olaf Scholz, among different groups.

Similarly, “reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and the EU’s commitment to Israel’s security and regional stability.” The agreed text condemning Iran’s attacks said, “All parties must respect international humanitarian law and the dangerous cycle of attacks and reprisals must end.”

Despite condemning the attacks on the UN mission, it limited itself to condemning “the unacceptable numbers of civilian victims, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and the imminent threat of famine.” Is.” Due to insufficient access of aid to Gaza, where he demands a ceasefire and is betting on the arrival of humanitarian aid.

However, with the deterioration of the situation that has reached Lebanon, there is no need for a response in the form of sanctions against Israel. Spain and Ireland are the countries that have defended concrete measures: the review of the trade agreement with Israel. At present the other partners have ignored this matter. However, the high representative, Josep Borrell, has forced a debate on the matter at what will be his last meeting with EU foreign ministers on November 18.

However, community sources say that “Israel’s attitude in the room is at least acceptable.” In fact, according to these sources, one leader asked his counterparts how far they were going to “say no.”

“The countries that have been most vocal in defense of Israel are beginning to have serious difficulties in defending Netanyahu’s actions,” said Pedro Sanchez, who has complained to his counterparts that they have violated the association agreement. The need to review is reiterated if it is concluded that Israel has violated international law, compliance with which is one of the grounds included in the agreement between the two parties. Now one argument could be that 27 have already written that attacks on UNIFIL are a violation of that international law.

Another demand Sanchez has made is that EU countries move forward with an arms embargo on Israel. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently promised to continue sending arms to those countries, even though the Greens, part of his coalition government, rejected this. “We have sent weapons and we will send them,” Scholz said in the Bundestag.

The second issue Sánchez has put on the table is recognition of the State of Palestine by those member states that have not yet done so (about half, including France, Germany and Italy). Sanchez concluded, “This would be a way to reaffirm that all of Europe is committed to a two-state solution.” The government highlights that the conclusions once again include convening a peace conference “as soon as possible”.