European Union foreign ministers will face divisions over the war in Gaza in Copenhagen today, after EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Hajja Labib urged them to “find a strong voice that reflects our values and principles“, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The ministers will discuss the war, which began in response to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian movement “Hamas“. Many member state governments have sharply criticized the way Israel is waging the war, mainly because of the high number of civilian casualties and restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. But member states are divided on a joint response, with some calling for economic measures to put pressure on Israel and others stressing a desire for dialogue.
Last month, the European Commission proposed restrictions on Israel's access to an EU research funding programme, but the proposal has so far failed to gain sufficient support from member states. Some countries, including France, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, have expressed support for the proposal, but others, such as Germany and Italy, have not.
Lahbib said it was "time for the EU to find a collective voice on Gaza". Speaking to reporters in Brussels this week, she declined to specify what action she thought should be taken, but made clear she wanted more pressure on Israel.
“What is happening there haunts me and should haunt us all. Because it is a tragedy. "And we will be judged by history," she said.
Israel has rejected the criticism, saying its military action is necessary to defeat "Hamas."
The ministers will express their views at the Copenhagen meeting but are not expected to make any decisions.
They are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and the future of some 210 billion euros in Russian assets frozen in the EU under sanctions imposed on Moscow.