The European Union drags its feet against Israel, despite having found that it has breached the commercial agreement for the violation of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank. The 27 leaders ignore it in the conclusions of the European Council that has been held this Thursday in Brussels and are limited to “take note” of the review of that agreement that has carried out the external action service directed by Kaja Kallas and that concluded that there are “indications” of those violations after 55,000 people killed. Estonia later accused Tel Aviv as violating the agreement.
However, most European governments choose to do nothing. They only place foreign ministers to follow up at their next July 15 meeting “taking into account the evolution in the field.”
“The European Council asks for a high immediate fire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, which leads to a permanent purpose of hostilities. It regrets the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civil victims and levels of starvation,” the conclusions point out.
“The European Council appeals to Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, allow immediate and unblocking access and the sustained distribution of large -scale humanitarian aid in Gaza and throughout its territory, and allow the United Nations and their agencies, as well as to humanitarian organizations, work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce suffering. Israel must fully fulfill Virtue of international law, including international humanitarian law, ”he adds.
The text avoids making an express condemnation of Netanyahu's actions doing generic assertions about the situation. “The European Council recalls the imperative of guaranteeing at all times the protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers, as well as civil infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools and the United Nations schools,” Zanja.
Decision making and pressure elevation on Benjamin Netanyahu are postponed with that writing again. The high representative said at the end of May that her intention was to put on the table of the Foreign Ministers “options” and that Monday's meeting gave “results.” However, the ministers limited themselves to addressing the document and leaving the matter for later. Kallas promised to address the matter with Israel to try that, with the report on the table, allow access to humanitarian aid.
The passivity in the action against Netanyahu responds to the equidistance of most European countries towards Israel, headed by Germany, which is strongly opposed to the review of the trade agreement. Not even all those who promoted that review, which was seconded by 17 Member States, agree with the taking of measures and much less with a suspension of the agreement.
Sánchez denounces the double stack before the “genocide” in Gaza
Pedro Sánchez has been the one who has raised his voice the most when claiming the “immediate” suspension of the commercial agreement for the “genocide” he is carrying out in Gaza. And has accused the EU of a “double standard” with respect to Netanyahu and Putin. “It makes no sense that we take eighteen packets of sanctions to Russia and Europe is not able to suspend an association agreement,” he said upon his arrival at the meeting with the rest of the leaders.
Israel has scrambled against Sánchez for his conviction of the massacre. The Embassy of that country in Spain has accused the government of not having condemned Iran's attack. “In the midst of this aggression, the Government of Spain chose not to condemn – only once – the deliberate and continuous attacks against Israeli civilians, starting an anti -raw crusade. Instead it has called to suspend European agreements with Israel and impose an embargo on weapons. Iran and that the Executive requested “containment” from the parties to avoid a escalation.
“Let's be clear: Israel, a democratic country that faces existential threats on multiple front It places, unfortunately, on the wrong side of the story, ”adds the text.
Spain is practically alone in that position, together with Ireland, whose prime minister, Micheál Martin, has appealed to “support for the Palestinians and put pressure on Israel.” Thus, he has described as “modest document” the report of the review of the commercial agreement, which only sees “signs” of the violation of human rights. He has also assured that “the people of Europe find incomprehensible” that the EU is not doing more.
“The EU as a whole can no longer really preach the rule of law due to our inadequate response to the atrocities that are happening in Gaza,” said Slovenia Prime Minister Robert Golob.
