With the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip, the member states of the European Union (EU) have generally been divided into three groups. There are those in one group who declare their support for Israel. Supporters of Israel raise the Israeli flag on government buildings, endorse its military campaign, and refrain from criticizing the Israeli Army in any way. In this group, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary stand out, with Germany following them.
In the second group, there are those who declare themselves as “pro-peace.” They strongly condemn Hamas while also calling for a ceasefire and openly criticizing Israel for violating international humanitarian law. Belgium, Spain, and Ireland are prominent countries in this group, with France following them. This faction stands out as a group that supports Israel but with less sharp opinions than the first group and is able to criticize Israel.
The third group consists of those who approach Israel with more distance. However, it would not be accurate to label them as “pro-Palestinian.” Indeed, no country has raised the Palestinian flag on government buildings or condemned Israel’s occupation or the destructive attacks on Gaza.[1]
In European Union (EU) countries, tens of thousands of Palestinians or people of Palestinian origin reside. In 2014, the majority of Members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution supporting Palestine, a move that was condemned by the Israeli Government at the time. However, since October 7, government buildings in Europe have been illuminated with blue and white lights in a show of solidarity with Israel, while some EU countries have begun to exert pressure on those organizing pro-Palestinian demonstrations. This situation has led to criticisms of violations of freedom of expression. For example, in countries like Germany and France, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been banned in order to maintain public order and prevent the spread of antisemitism.
While the EU maintains its position of support for Israel, statements from European governments (including the European Council of Heads of State or Government) emphasize Israel’s “right to self-defense within the framework of international law and international humanitarian law.” These groups demand that Hamas “release all hostages unconditionally.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the attacks led by Hamas on October 7 while also pledging to “work towards recognizing the state of Palestine in Europe and in Spain.” In Greece, Kostas Arvanitis, a Member of the European Parliament for Greece’s Syriza Party, stated that the EU’s position during the ongoing conflict was “dangerous and one-sided” and amounted to a “denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”.[2]
Belgian MP Simon Moutquin has signed a letter, along with over 200 MPs from 13 countries, calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Moutquin criticized Europe’s stance on Ukraine and Russia, stating that if Europe does not show the same sensitivity towards Palestinians, it will lose credibility on this issue in the future. The letter emphasizes that Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza violates international law and causes civilian casualties. MPs urge their governments to stop selling weapons to Israel. Moutquin also stressed the need for Belgium to take action on this matter, warning of the risk of genocide in Tel Aviv’s war on Gaza if not. He also highlighted the division within the EU and expressed concern about the EU’s inconsistency regarding Israel’s war on Gaza. Finally, the letter underscores that an arms embargo on Israel is a legal obligation and MPs are determined to act immediately and coordinately to stop their countries from supplying arms to Israel.[3]
During a recent EU summit, member states debated whether the bloc should call for a ceasefire to allow vital humanitarian aid into Gaza. Ultimately, they reached an agreement on the concept of “humanitarian pauses.” They discussed implementing pauses to facilitate access for goods into Gaza. Additionally, they reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense and the need for compliance with international humanitarian law. Jordan’s King Abdullah, a partner of the EU in the region, condemned this belated and ineffective statement on protecting Palestinians. King Abdullah used the following words:[4]
“The message the Arab world is hearing is loud and clear: Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones. Our lives matter less than other lives. The application of international law is optional. And human rights have boundaries – they stop at borders, they stop at races, and they stop at religions.”
The EU has committed to supporting the International Peace Forum aimed at reviving hope for a solution for the long-lost two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Former President of the European External Action Service, Pierre Vimont, made the following assessment:[5]
“It has now to deal with a kind of handicap with regard to Arab countries and more globally, more generally, with many partners in the South that have lost somewhat their confidence in the European Union diplomacy. So we have to rebuild that. We have to reach out to all of them. Never forget that it was the European Union that came up with the idea of a two-state solution, the need for self-determination for the Palestinians, the support for the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) as the representative of the Palestinian people.”
In addition to divisions within the EU, the leadership of the union has also faced a crisis. German Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen has emerged as a prominent figure, seen as a reflection of the EU’s cohesive approach to Israel. Since October 7, 2023, von der Leyen has prominently displayed the Israeli flag at the heart of the Commission as a manifestation of the EU’s supportive stance towards Israel. She has openly supported Israel, emphasizing its “right to self-defense today and in the future.” Additionally, she visited Israel to convey the same message of full support. Von der Leyen’s stance, considered as the “face” of the EU, has shaped the union’s global perception.[6]
[1] “The EU’s Response to the Gaza War Is a Tale of Contradiction and Division”, The Cairo Review, https://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/the-eus-response-to-the-gaza-war-is-a-tale-of-contradiction-and-division/, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[2] “How Israel’s War in Gaza Sows Division Across the European Union”, Inkstick, https://inkstickmedia.com/how-israels-war-in-gaza-sows-division-across-the-european-union/, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[3] “Europe risks losing credibility over silence on Israel’s war on Gaza: MP”, Aljazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/2/europe-risks-losing-credibility-over-silence-on-israels-war-on-gaza-mp, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[4] “EU divisions on Gaza risk weakening it on the foreign policy stage”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/10/31/eu-divisions-on-gaza-risk-weakening-it-on-the-foreign-policy-stage, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[5] Ibıd.
[6] “EU’s Gaza War response: A tale of contradiction and division”, Spectator, https://spectator.clingendael.org/en/publication/eus-gaza-war-response-tale-contradiction-and-division, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
