Former EU ambassadors call for action as Gaza crisis deepens

A collection of 27 former European Union ambassadors have published a public letter to central EU governing bodies demanding immediate action amid the deepening humanitarian emergency in Gaza, The New Arab reported on July 10th.

Previous EU envoys to the Middle East and North Africa have urged notable figures, such as EU Council President Antonio Costa and other senior EU officials to take decisive action in response to the ongoing crisis.

Collectively, the ambassadors denounced what they called Israel’s “indiscriminate and grossly disproportionate” use of force in Gaza, which they said has killed or seriously injured tens of thousands of mostly civilian Palestinians, including many children.

They also condemned the widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and wider infrastructure. They also criticised Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid, interference with UNRWA’s operations, and a US-supported aid strategy that “sidelines experienced UN agencies.”

The ambassadors also pointed to the West Bank, criticising the EU for turning a blind eye to Israel’s occupation of the territory and for tacitly enabling settler violence and land grabs considered illegal under international law.

“There has been a reluctance by the EU to take serious action against Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank and its government’s de facto encouragement of violent settler groups,” the letter stated.

More than 700,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank. Yet, specifically under Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, their presence is a clear breach of international law.

This was further affirmed in July 2024 when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza violates international law—a ruling subsequently supported by the UN General Assembly.

Despite a formal EU review launched in May confirming Israel’s violations, countries including Germany, Hungary, and Austria have yet to take action.

The letter suggests that this inaction undermines the EU’s global credibility and prevents it from fulfilling its responsibilities as a major international actor.

The New Arab, Maghrebi.org