MEPs slam EU as accomplice of Israel
Various members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on April 23 criticised the European Union for being “complicit” in Israel’s war crimes in the blood-stained Gaza Strip, Turkish media outlet Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Left-wing, pro-Palestinian MEPs highlighted the double standards – they say the bloc is quick to criticise Russia and to slap sanctions on them before and after the now two-year long invasion of Ukraine but give Israel carte blanche to commit historic war crimes in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.
The members of parliament criticised the EU’s stance on Israel’s actions violating international law during a session titled “EP’s (European Parliament) reaction to the killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists, and civilians by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip”
Earlier this month, EU leaders unanimously agreed to back fresh sanctions on the Iranian regime for their revenge attacks on Israel, the first ever time that the country had attacked Israel directly, after their consulate in Syria was bombed by Israel on April 1.
“We feel it’s very important to do everything to isolate Iran,” EU Council chief Charles Michel affirmed on April 17.
Spanish MEP Manu Pineda, of the Left group in the parliament, condemned Israel’s failure to implement provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel as well as giving attention to the journalists and aid workers killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza. The UN said in early April that just over 200 aid workers have been killed and the Committee to Protect Journalists said that 97 journalists have been killed as of April 23.
Provisional measures ordered on January 26 include, ensuring the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, preventing genocidal acts as outlined in Article 2 of the 1948 Genocide Convention, preventing the destruction of evidence of war crimes in Gaza and allowing independent investigations, and submitting a report to the court on how it intends to carry out the measures ordered.
Irish MEP Clare Daly, of the same parliamentary group, castigated the EU for slashing funds to UNRWA – the main agency attending to Palestinians in Gaza.
Israeli claims, which were found to be untrue in an independent report submitted to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 22, that 12 UNRWA staffers were involved in Hamas’ attack on southern Israel as well as the agency being entirely compromised led to a mass exodus of funding, worth around $450 million, from 16 countries and the European Union as well as the sacking of those accused of being involved in the October 7 attack by UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini.
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Daly also accused the bloc of “supporting the aggressor” and lambasted EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen for saying that the EU “stands with Israel” in October.
“She (Von der Leyen) does not speak for me, she does not speak for Ireland and she does not speak for the citizens of Europe.” Daly bellowed in a widely documented speech.
She also said during the session that the EU were continuously silent on Israel’s brutal actions prior to and after October 7.
Fellow Irish and left-wing member Mick Wallace said during the session: “Its soul destroying that this house still hasn’t wanted a resolution on Gaza, on the ICJ ruling. Whatever happened to our respect for international law?
“We’ve had six months of Israeli genocide in Gaza, over six months and we’ve still to condemn it. We want a resolution added to the Gaza debate and that we also include the reference to the International Court of Justice order and the UN Security Council resolution – which Israel is flouting.”
Since October 7, over 34,000 Gazans have been killed – 72% of whom were women and children.
AA/ Middle East Monitor
