EU leaders have gathered in Brussels today for a critical summit marked by the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has exposed divisions within the EU. Weeks of mixed messages, diplomatic blunders, and varying national positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have created an atmosphere of uncertainty.
However, following days of internal disagreements, EU leaders are striving to present a united front. Their primary focus is to support the call for humanitarian ceasefires in the conflict. European Council President Charles Michel emphasized the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need to provide access to essentials like food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter. This effort aims to create safer conditions for the release of over 200 hostages taken by Hamas during their attack on October 7th, many of whom are European dual nationals from Germany, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
Disagreements among EU member states have complicated the situation. Some member states are cautious about calling for a full ceasefire, arguing it might be seen as limiting Israel’s right to self-defense. Germany and other countries are hesitant about endorsing a single, prolonged humanitarian pause. They prefer shorter breaks in the fighting to facilitate aid delivery.
Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have expressed strong support for Israel, while Spain and Ireland align more closely with the Palestinian cause. Several European leaders, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron, have engaged in diplomatic missions to the Middle East, holding talks with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and visiting Israel.
The division of opinions extends to the EU’s executive as well. The EU, being the largest donor to the Palestinians, faced criticism when Hungary’s European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi initially suspended payments and postponed new budget proposals following the Hamas attack. However, the European Commission later clarified that aid would not be stopped but placed under review and pledged to increase support for Palestinians.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received criticism for expressing support for Israel’s right to self-defense without emphasizing adherence to international humanitarian law during her visit to Israel. The EU diplomat noted that not everything she said was posted on social media, highlighting the importance of behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
In an unusual move, over 800 EU staff and diplomats signed an open letter expressing concerns about the Commission’s “uncontrolled” support for Israel, pointing out perceived double standards in comparing Russia’s blockade of Ukraine and Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
James Moran from the Centre for European Policy Studies noted that the EU’s response to the conflict has been “unfortunate and very confusing,” a departure from its historically even-handed approach in Middle East conflicts.
Despite not having a military presence, the EU has played a significant diplomatic role in the Middle East. However, with 27 member countries holding fundamentally opposing views, reaching a unified stance has proven challenging. The EU remains committed to aligning with the United States on the issue, but differences persist, as the nature of the Ukraine conflict significantly differs from the situation in the Middle East.
As the 27 EU leaders convene in Brussels behind closed doors, the lack of a single, unified voice remains a challenge for the EU’s role in mediating the Israel-Gaza conflict. While the EU was conceived as a peace project following World War Two, the realities of a divided Europe pose substantial obstacles to achieving a decisive resolution in the Middle East.
“It was a war on our doorstep, and there was a clear enemy,” said a spokesperson for the European Parliament regarding the EU’s unified stance in Ukraine. “Nobody ever questioned whether it was right for the EU to help Ukraine arm itself. It was an epochal change.”
In the case of the Israel-Gaza conflict, unity among European nations remains elusive, emphasizing the complex dynamics surrounding the EU’s diplomatic efforts in the region.
