Protestors against Von der Leyen's greenlight for genocide in Gaza
occupy the European Commission building in Dublin, 19 October [photo
credit: @paulmurphy_TD]
According to von der Leyen’s critics, she went too far in expressing
unconditioned support to Israel, which should be contained within the
language of international humanitarian law, and failed to acknowledge
the Palestinian right to self-determination. The EU Commission President
is also seen as overstepping her position since she has no official
mandate to speak on behalf of the Union on foreign policy matters. Von
der Leyen reportedly undertook her visit to Israel without prior
consultation of, and agreement by, the Council of EU foreign ministers
which is responsible to formulate the Union’s foreign policy. Such
criticism also comes against the backdrop of divisions that emerged last
month following allegations that von der Leyen’s commission secured the Tunisia migration pact without consulting EU member states.
It took the EU eight days to agree on a joint statement.
This was more in line with the EU’s traditional position on the
Israel-Palestine conflict as it included language on the need for Israel
to balance its right to defend itself under the contours of
international humanitarian law, as well as the need to sustain
humanitarian aid to Palestine. Two days later Charles Michel chaired an emergency meeting to further consolidate the EU position.
As the criticism towards the Commission mounts, von der Leyen announced the EU will triple its humanitarian aid to Gaza, bringing the total to €75 million. Still, and as human rights groups and UN experts warn about war crimes on both sides, she continues to vocalise her support to Israel.
As EU officials held vigils in Brussels to remember the Israeli
victims of the 7 October attacks and buildings across the EU were draped
in the Israeli flag, all over the world, including in Europe and the UK,
people took to the streets to protest against both Hamas and Israel’s
actions. As the war continues, Europe also grapples with exacerbated
challenges around antisemitism and disinformation.
Arguably no other issue has the ability to reveal the deepest
weaknesses underpinning the EU more than the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. It is deeply rooted in the national histories of EU member
states and exposes existing differences in values among them. Anyone who
has been involved in EU policy discussions on Israel and Palestine has
likely personally witnessed at least one animated exchange among
officials, MEPs and party members. For Europeans, questioning Israel’s
actions (both before and after 7 October) means shaking the post-World
War II consensus which led to the formation of the United Nations and
the EU itself, thus putting into question the multilateral systems
Europe relies upon.
While it is too early to talk about the consequences of the
Israel-Gaza war for Europe, one thing is already clear: our inability to
express solidarity with the Palestinians in the immediate aftermath of
Hamas’s attack on Israel, following perceptions of double standards
after the start of the Ukraine war, deeply eroded trust among
non-Western populations and leaders, many of whom widely support the
Palestinian issue.
This is set to become a long war.
So far, divisions have prevented European Union from securing a
ceasefire or any degree of humanitarian relief for the Palestinians in
Gaza. Many European voters who feel for civilians in Gaza are growing to
completely distrust their leaders. The people of Gaza, too, and all
Palestinians, are losing their hope in the EU. And if European leaders
do not step up their engagement, a regional war might unfold. Other
leaders like Putin might even take advantage of Europe’s internal stasis
to deliver a peace that is not in line with Europe’s terms, one that
reflects the worldview that strongmen who disregard international norms
are the only ones who can deliver. People will not forget how Europe
responded at the start of the war but it is not too late to play a
positive role on emerging dynamics.