The foreign ministers of the European Union have reaffirmed their condemnation and repudiation of the “barbaric and inhuman act” perpetrated over the weekend by Hamas, have endorsed Israel’s right to defend itself and have distanced themselves from the organization they consider terrorist. and who has power in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, they have also condemned “all attacks on civilians”, have asked for “respect for humanitarian law” and that there be no “blockade of water, food or electricity for the civilian population in Gaza.” Likewise, the high representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, has demanded that Israel allow “humanitarian corridors to facilitate the exit of those fleeing the bombs to Egypt”, since “collective punishments are unfair and go against the interests of all.” “.
The high representative urgently summoned those responsible for Foreign Affairs yesterday to assess what happened, listen to the position of each of the 27 and “start thinking about the day after,” as he explained from Oman, where a meeting with several of the Gulf countries. Some of the European ministers were in person, but most have joined by video conference.
The Europeans have had to talk among themselves because neither the Israeli Eli Cohen nor the Palestinian Riad Malki have accepted the invitation to explain first-hand what is happening. And, according to the summary offered by the high representative, there are several broad or “overwhelming consensuses.” The first, the denunciation of the barbarism committed by Hamas murderers against unarmed civilians, families and children. The second, the right to defend itself against Israel. And the third, “with only two or three” discrepancies, said Borrell, that aid to Palestine should be maintained and not cut.
On Monday, the neighborhood commissioner, Viktor Orban’s man in Brussels, announced the immediate suspension of all development aid to Palestine while an in-depth evaluation of every euro spent is made, to ensure that nothing ends up in the hands of terrorists. . Hours later, and when half the planet had interpreted that humanitarian aid was also being cut off at a critical moment, the European Commission had to deny the commissioner, ensuring that the humanitarian items would not be touched, nor would there be a “suspension of payments” while it is audited. And this Tuesday they went even further, throwing the Hungarian Varhelyi to the horses by saying in public that what he said was his own initiative, without consulting anyone, least of all President Von der Leyen.
Borrell has insisted a lot on this issue from Oman. European diplomats throughout the Middle East have warned Brussels that its position, and even its security, would be greatly compromised if such an abrupt cut were made and that it would make no sense to ensure that not one euro has gone to Hamas and then penalize two millions of civilians at once, who need that money to survive.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization and they behave like one, but the Palestinian Authority is something else. They are our partners, we work with them. Not all Palestinians are terrorists, so collective punishment will be unfair, not productive, against the interests of everyone and peace,” said the Spanish leader. “An overwhelming majority, with two or three exceptions, believes that cooperation with the Palestinian Authority should continue, financing should continue and payments should not be interrupted… If we discover that we have financed Hamas, someone will have to take responsibility.” policies. I don’t think it happened, but let’s check it. The extraordinary nature of the situation means that perhaps a more in-depth examination is necessary, but the majority insists that it cannot be an excuse to freeze cooperation. This barbaric act that has left so many victims , so many deaths, has provoked the reaction of the Israeli Defense forces, which will cause human suffering. The victims are increasing in Gaza, the humanitarian situation is critical, so we have to give more support, not less,” he concluded.
