Diplomats in Copenhagen's EU summit find themselves at odds concerning the Gaza issue
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the European Union (EU) finds itself deeply divided, with major differences surfacing among its 27 member states on how to address the crisis.
The heart of the dispute revolves around Israel's conduct of the war, particularly the high number of civilian casualties and restrictions on humanitarian aid. Many EU governments have criticised Israel's actions, calling for a change in its approach.
However, Germany, a key trading partner with Israel, has taken a different stance. The German government has suspended delivery of weapons that could be used in Gaza, emphasising the need for Israel to respect humanitarian principles. Yet, Germany has blocked EU economic sanctions against Israel, expressing concerns about harming scientific cooperation. Traditional allies of Israel, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, have also rejected such steps.
The EU is Israel's biggest trading partner, with trade in goods amounting to €42.6 billion (RM210 billion) last year. This economic interdependence has made it challenging for the EU to take decisive action against Israel.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, has expressed concern about the lack of a unified voice on this issue, implying potential weakness on the global scene. In a recent statement, she noted the division among EU members and the need for a more cohesive approach.
Some EU countries, including Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands, have called for the suspension of an EU free trade pact with Israel. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris has been particularly vocal, stating, "If the EU does not act as a collective now and take sanctions against Israel, whenever will it? What more could it possibly take? Children are starving."
The European Commission has proposed a measure to send an initial signal to Israel, with the aim of curbing Israeli access to an EU research-funding programme. However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is not very convinced by this proposal, and Kallas is not very optimistic that ministers can agree on a lenient proposal.
The war in Gaza has brought to the surface deeply rooted differences among EU countries on the Middle East. The global hunger monitor has determined that there is famine in Gaza, a finding that Israel has rejected. Despite these challenges, the EU continues to grapple with finding a unified and effective response to the crisis.
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