Brussels, Belgium – As Gaza is relentlessly bombed by Israel, greater than 800 EU officers have written to the bloc’s chief, Ursula von der Leyen, criticising her “uncontrolled” help of Israel.
The signatories of the letter, which Al Jazeera has seen, say they “hardly recognise the values of the EU”, claiming there’s a “seeming indifference demonstrated over the previous few days by our establishment in the direction of the continued bloodbath of civilians within the Gaza Strip, in disregard for human rights and worldwide humanitarian regulation”.
They are saying they’re saddened by the Fee’s “double requirements”, because it considers the blockade of Ukraine by Russia as an act of terror, whereas Israel’s blockade of Gaza is “fully ignored”.
“If Israel doesn’t cease instantly, the entire Gaza Strip and its inhabitants will likely be erased from the planet,” the letter learn.
“We urge you [von der Leyen] to name, along with the leaders of the entire Union, for a ceasefire and for the safety of civilian life. That is on the core of the EU existence,” they mentioned, warning “the EU dangers dropping all credibility”.
The letter represents deep divisions throughout the bloc on easy methods to method the Israel-Gaza battle, which in lower than two weeks has killed hundreds of individuals.
The European Fee’s “current unlucky actions or positions appear to provide a free hand to the acceleration and the legitimacy of a battle crime within the Gaza Strip”, the letter mentioned.
In Gaza, greater than 4,000 Palestinians have been killed, lots of them kids.
“We might have been proud if the European Union … had known as for a direct cessation of hostilities and indiscriminate violence in opposition to civilians,” the letter learn.
The decision on von der Leyen follows different indicators of political friction within the West, with stories that US diplomats are getting ready a “dissent cable” on the Center East battle, a doc criticising Washington’s coverage that goes to State Division leaders.
The European Fee mentioned it was conscious of the letter and is able to have interaction with employees members and European residents to grasp their views.
“The President has mentioned on a number of events that ‘there is no such thing as a contradiction in standing in solidarity with Israel and appearing on the humanitarian wants of the Palestinian folks,’” a Fee spokesperson advised Al Jazeera.
“She has additionally mentioned, ‘There could be no hesitation on our [EU] facet: Europe will at all times be on the facet of humanity and of human rights.’”
An EU supply, who requested anonymity, advised Al Jazeera that the letter was unlikely to alter EU coverage, “however it exhibits the rising divide between many employees members who wish to see worldwide regulation utilized throughout the globe”.
Von der Leyen, the European Fee president, is presently in the US for an EU-US Summit.
“We stand for peace and prosperity. Supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom. Standing by Israel and addressing humanitarian wants within the area,” she mentioned on Thursday.
‘They thought it could be a Ukraine second’
A second EU supply advised Al Jazeera that dissent is rising as a result of von der Leyen’s crew “seems to have fully misinterpret the scenario”.
“They – her and her closest advisers – thought that this [Israel-Hamas war] can be a Ukraine second, and so they should condemn the terrorists and win the ethical argument. However I believe they’ve simply been purely blind to the dimensions of oppression Palestinians have skilled, and the widespread understanding of the battle as this being a violent response to occupation,” the official advised Al Jazeera.
Good assembly along with @CharlesMichel with a bipartisan delegation from the US Senate.
The transatlantic partnership is robust!
And extra wanted than ever in turbulent occasions.
We stand for peace and prosperity.
Supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom.
Standing by… pic.twitter.com/2EsMMX42hJ
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 19, 2023
Von der Leyen is “nonetheless morally battling easy methods to take a stance”, the official mentioned, including that her place from now could be more likely to rely on diplomatic efforts “on the worldwide scale and what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says”.
“[Her] crew are attempting to regulate their line and acknowledge that they misinterpret the scenario. They’re making an attempt to jot down a story the place they will nonetheless be seen as staunch allies of Israel, but in addition as a diplomatic pressure within the area, whereas making an attempt to take care of some degree of credibility vis a vis the battle Ukraine,” the official mentioned.
“However on this case, it seems to be just like the People would be the adults within the room,” the official added.
A couple of streets away from the European Fee, an identical sense of anger has been brewing amongst some staffers on the European Parliament, led by Roberta Metsola.
“To see two of the three presidents [von der Leyen and Metsola] all of the sudden in Israel, standing shoulder to shoulder with a regime which is killing civilians was fairly stunning,” a Parliament official, who requested anonymity, advised Al Jazeera.
“How has Macklemore taken a extra humane stance than the European Fee?” they mentioned, referring to the American rapper and singer who has known as for a “ceasefire in Israel” and in addition a “Free Palestine”.
In the meantime, the EU’s prime diplomat, Josep Borrell, has gained reward amongst some staffers who suppose he has a extra nuanced stance in the direction of the present scenario in Gaza; all through the newest battle, he has commonly known as for each the discharge of Israeli hostages in Gaza and for support to be hurried into the besieged strip on brink of collapse.
Kristina Kausch, a Madrid-based senior fellow on the German Marshall Fund of the US, mentioned “inconsistencies” present a glimpse into the “deep splits throughout the EU on this battle”.
Over the previous decade, she added, on the Israel-Palestine crises, the 27 nations of the bloc “have barely managed to place out any frequent statements”.
Consequently, EU coverage on the Israel-Palestine file, a key benchmark for the EU’s effectiveness as a world actor, “has been helplessly stalled”, she mentioned.
On Thursday, on the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg, members adopted a decision calling for a “humanitarian pause” within the newest Israel-Gaza battle.
However officers advised Al Jazeera of extra divisions – akin to debates over whether or not “ceasefire” or “pause” ought to be used for the decision.
One official identified that the decision made no point out of the Israeli occupation or the blockade on Gaza.
A fourth EU official Al Jazeera spoke to described a tense ambiance throughout the establishment, with many feeling ashamed to work for the bloc.
“For my technology of employees, ‘By no means Once more’ truly means one thing,” they mentioned. “We bear in mind 9/11 and many people protested the battle in Iraq. So I believe lots of people had been horrified when von der Leyen and Metsola appeared to supply a carte blanche to Israel, apparently in our title. It feels just like the house to precise solidarity with Palestinians is shrinking.
“The conflation of Jewish folks and the state of Israel can be an issue … The shortage of variety of each Jewish and Muslim folks working for the EU doesn’t assist.”
