The European Union (EU) addresses the Palestine-Israel issue from a broad spectrum, considering historical ties, economy, and security, and cannot remain indifferent to this matter.[1] Expressing the need for a peaceful resolution to the issue, the EU endorsed the two-state solution with the 1980 Venice Declaration and decided to support the establishment and recognition of a democratic, independent, viable, and peaceful Palestinian state with the 1999 Berlin Declaration.
Although the institutional stance of the EU has been declared in this manner, only 7 out of the 27 EU member states recognize the State of Palestine. On May 22, 2024, Spain and Ireland, along with Norway, announced that they would recognize Palestine as a state.[2] Thus, two more EU member countries have joined the ranks of those recognizing the State of Palestine. This situation is expected to create a domino effect, influenced by the current geopolitical context, leading to an increase in the number of EU member states recognizing the State of Palestine.
Of course, recognizing Palestine as a state is only part of the issue. The core problem is the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has persisted from the process leading to the establishment of the State of Israel to the present day. When it comes to human rights, the rule of law, and norms of freedom, the EU is one of the first institutions that come to mind. However, the EU’s general policies towards the situation in Palestine, including financial aid, emphasis on the two-state solution, and condemnation statements, lack the enforcement power to end this crisis, as seen in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Moreover, after October 7, 2023, the statement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that “Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks” received support from many member states, notably France and Germany. Additionally, discussions about suspending aid to Palestine have further diminished the EU’s potential as a problem-solving actor. In contrast, standing against Israel’s attacks on civilians would align with the EU’s foundational norms of human rights, the rule of law, peace, and democracy. This stance was demonstrated by supporting Kyiv in the Russia-Ukraine War. In Gaza, however, the EU, both institutionally and nationally, has sided with Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, which has targeted Palestinian civilians.
For approximately eight months, the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine has been unfolding before the eyes of the international community. The entire world has been systematically witnessing Israel’s actions towards Palestinians through social media. The same audience has begun to perceive the EU’s founding norms as mere decorative values rather than actionable principles. In other words, the Palestine issue has demonstrated that the balance between values and interests within the EU has been disrupted.
This situation has led to two divisions within the EU. The first is among the member states themselves. Countries with political and commercial ties to Israel, such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, have spearheaded policies supporting Israel. On the other hand, countries like Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Belgium have been vocal in advocating for Palestinian rights. This division among member states indicates that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the EU to formulate a unified foreign policy on the Palestine-Israel issue.
The second aspect of the division is between the political elites and the general public. Some EU elites, who have economic and political ties with both Israel and its unconditional supporter, the United States, approach the issue from an interest-based perspective, siding with Israel. This is because the EU and Israel have not only a trade partnership but also collaborations in various technological fields such as the arms industry and artificial intelligence. In contrast, the European public, viewing the events post-October 7 from the perspective of values, has taken a stance in support of Palestine.
In protests held in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other European countries, people have been describing Israel’s operations in Gaza as “genocide” and demanding that their governments halt arms trade and impose sanctions on Israel. Despite the EU’s stance as a defender of free speech, these demands have repeatedly been suppressed within its borders. Nevertheless, as in the rest of the world, people from all walks of life in Europe continue to organize demonstrations in support of Palestine.
Because of the rising “Free Palestine” voices in the streets of Europe, pressure has been mounting on decision-makers within the EU, leading to a revision of the EU’s Palestine-Israel policy. Statements that previously condemned Israeli attacks in Gaza and the West Bank have been replaced by criticisms of Israel’s operations in Gaza immediately following October 7. There has been an increase in the number of EU countries supporting the recognition of Palestine as an independent state and its membership in the United Nations. Discussions about suspending the Israel-EU partnership agreement have arisen, and some countries have halted arms supplies to Israel.
Another development occurred following the application by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for “committing crimes against humanity and being war criminals.” Although there was division within the EU regarding the application, the support from France and Germany can be seen as a success in terms of international public opinion.
Especially due to Germany’s unconditional political and military support for Israel, stemming from its Holocaust past, one might expect a pro-Israel stance from Germany. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, announced that they would comply with the ICC decision.[3] Although the outcome of the court’s decision remains uncertain, this statement is significant in showing that Israel’s practices that disregard human rights and the rule of law are beginning to lose support in Europe.
The decision made by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the ICC on May 24, 2024, ordering Israel to halt all military operations in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, was another development indicating that support for Israel in the EU is becoming more difficult. Following the decision, the statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, that “we will have to choose between our support for international institutions and the rule of law and our support for Israel,” indicates that the EU’s support for Israel has reached an impasse.[4] Supporting Israel while disregarding all normative values in the Palestinian issue means becoming complicit in the crimes committed by that country.
As a result, European countries adopting a pro-Israel stance in the humanitarian crisis in Palestine has shown that EU elites have failed to maintain a balance between values and interests. However, the fact that the voices of Gaza’s streets silenced by bombs have started to resonate from the streets of Europe after October 7 has led to increased pressure on EU institutions and member states supporting Israel.
Indeed, for the EU to achieve a balance between values and interests in the Palestine-Israel issue and to address it according to international legal standards is crucial not only for preserving its institutional identity but also for contributing to a two-state solution. On the other hand, the Palestine Issue can also be seen as an opportunity for the EU to regain the credibility it lost in the Balkans during the 20th century and potentially restore it in the 21st century.
[1] Filiz Cicioğlu-Gamze Bal, “Avrupa Birliği’nin Filistin-İsrail Sorununa Yönelik Politikası, 2nd International Congress on Political,Economic and Social Studies (ICPESS)”, 2017, https://www.pesa.org.tr/single-post/2017/09/26/icpess-2017-proceedings-volume-1-political-studies-bildiriler-kitab%C4%B1-cilt-1-politik-ara, (Date of Access: 23.05.2024).
[2] Rory Carroll and Sam Jones, “Ireland, Spain and Norway to Recognise Palestinian state”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/22/palestinian-state-recognition-ireland-spain-recognise-palestine, (Date of Access: 23.05.2024).
[3] Merve Berker, “Berlin’s Decision to Take Israeli Side at UN Court Does Not Match Its Responsibilities: UN Rapporteur”, Anadolu Agency, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/berlin-s-decision-to-take-israeli-side-at-un-court-does-not-match-its-responsibilities-un-rapporteur/3108287, (Date of Access: 23.05.2024).
[4] “EU Faces ‘Difficult’ Choice Between Support To Rule Of Law Or Support To Israel – Borrell”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/24/eu-faces-difficult-choice-between-support-to-rule-of-law-or-support-to-israel-borrell, (Date of Access: 25.05.2024).
