The leaders of the European Union have eluded this Thursday expressly mentioning the breach of Israel with it for their human rights violations in Gaza, despite the EU report that verifies them, and they have sent the Foreign Ministers to continue the debate in July as evolved in the fields in the field.
Within the framework of the European Summit in Brussels, the heads of state and government has once again contemplated with Israel and limit themselves to taking note of the, but expressly mentioning its conclusions.
This report was sent by a group of 17 Member States to the high representative, Kaja Kallas, to assess whether Israel’s performance in Gaza fits the framework that governs relations with the EU and that consecrates that these “will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles” and constitute an “essential element” of the agreement.
In the conclusions of the Summit, European leaders leave the issue in the hands of Foreign Ministers, pointing to future debates about the next steps to follow, “if appropriate”, in the month of July, when Brussels meet. By then they will have to take into account “the evolution of the situation in the field.”
At a press conference after the European Summit, the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, has described Israel as “a friend”, so it has to be “frank, open and clear.” “No one can ignore what we see on television and what we read in the press. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“No one can ignore what we see on television and what we read in the press. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is completely unacceptable.”
Antonio Costa
Thus things have stressed that the Kallas report “is very clear” and talking about a “systematic violation by Israel of Human Rights in Gaza”. Although he has defended the times to be the Foreign Ministers debate the following steps, Costa has said that in the meantime the EU will continue “talking” with Israel putting the data on the table and raising the pressure to improve the situation in Gaza.
Despite the lack of roundness of the conclusions, diplomatic sources of a critical Member State with Israel value the reference to the report on article 2, inclusion that was discussed by the ambassadors until the last minute. “Now we hope that the high representative maintains a constructive dialogue with Israel, and report to the ministers on July 15,” the sources about the next quote from outdoor holders emphasize.
This Thursday the president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, not to agree on measures against Israel for his actions in Gaza and yet agree to successive rounds of sanctions against Russia for his invasion of Ukraine.
Thus he has claimed his partners in the EU to take the step of “immediately” the association agreement that the block has with this country. “It is more than obvious that Israel is violating article 2 and, therefore, I will defend that Europe has to suspend the association agreement with Israel and has to do it immediately,” he stressed.
Sánchez has seconded the Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin, has also warned that Europeans “find incomprehensible” that the EU is not in a position to “press” Israel to convince him to cease the war in Gaza and stop the “massacre of innocent children and civilians.”
THE KEYS OF THE REPORT
Last Friday, the EU Foreign Action Service circulated among its member states a report that focuses on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, after Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and collects information from international organizations in the field.
In its conclusions the document states that “there are indications that Israel would breach its obligations in human rights under article 2”.
Last Monday, the Foreign Ministers of the block have already avoided retaliation against Israel despite the pressure of a dozen countries, including Spain, who ask for commercial measures or suspend the association agreement. In any case, there is no sufficient majority that supports reprisals and Kallas itself assured that the objective of the year is not to “punish” Israel, leaving for the next meeting of the ministers in July the following phase of the revision process.
The conclusions again claim a high immediate fire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, insisting that this should lead to the “permanent end of hostilities.” EU leaders are critical of the “terrible humanitarian situation of Gaza”, indicating that it leaves an “unacceptable” number of civil victims.
In this sense, the EU leaders ask Israel to “totally” lift the blockade of Gaza, allow immediate and unblocking access and the sustained distribution of large -scale humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as allow the work to the United Nations and humanitarian organizations
“Israel must fully comply with the obligations that concern it by virtue of international law, including international humanitarian law,” said the text of conclusions of the 27.
References to Iran
On the war between Iran and Israel, EU leaders give the moderation and avoid any action that can lead to a new escalation.
In any case, he insists on the European position that Iran cannot be made with the nuclear weapon and that he must fulfill his obligations of non -proliferation, emphasizing that the EU is ready to play a diplomatic role that reduces the tensions and fosters a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
