Strasbourg: European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica on Tuesday stated that the EU is prepared to play a crucial role in stabilizing the Middle East following the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This announcement comes as several lawmakers accused the bloc of being complicit in what they termed as Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.
According to TRTworld.com, during a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg addressing the recent developments in the Middle East, Suica emphasized the fragile nature of the current situation, highlighting that despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire. She noted that the EU is ready to contribute to a 20-point plan to stabilize the region and intends to engage with both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government. Suica asserted that the European Union is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in this delicate situation.
Reaffirming the EU's commitment to a two-state solution, Suica stated that the commission will mobilize all relevant tools and co-host a meeting of the Palestine Donor Group around November 20 to coordinate reconstruction and reform efforts. Although the recent developments in Gaza offer glimmers of hope, she stressed that sustained efforts are necessary to ensure lasting peace.
However, several lawmakers criticized the EU for its perceived silence and complicity in Israel's actions in Gaza. Irish MEP Lynn Boylan from the Left Group accused the bloc of inaction despite the severe death toll, mentioning numbers of tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and numerous children injured or starving. She insisted that the ceasefire should not be an excuse for the EU to remain inactive, urging the bloc to restore its credibility and end its complicity in what she termed genocide.
Rima Hassan, another member of the Left Group, claimed that the EU's response mirrors a colonial mindset, alleging that the bloc has granted Israel carte blanche for its actions. She declared that peace for Palestine necessitates an end to Israel's impunity, the West's complicity, and the apartheid and genocide.
Belgian MEP Marc Botenga echoed these sentiments, accusing the EU of financing and arming a genocide, while Slovenian MEP Matjaz Nemec called for accountability for war crimes and sanctions against those responsible. Irish MEP Luke Ming Flanagan added that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's unwavering support for Israel emboldened it to commit horrific war crimes, and urged the EU to demand that Israel bear the cost of Gaza's reconstruction.
