EU Summit: Charles Michel criticizes Israel

2023-10-18 08:48:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

EU Summit: Charles Michel criticizes Israel

The President of the Council of the EU, Charles Michel

The President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, considers Israel's total blockade of the Gaza Strip illegal. But not all participants in the summit think so.

It was the first virtual meeting of the heads of state and government of the 27 EU member states since the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Each of the participants was again in his office or somewhere on the trip: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in Israel, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in China. In Brussels, in the empty hall of the Europe building, the president of the Council of the EU, Charles Michel, and his colleagues had hurriedly gathered in front of a large monitor. If the topic of the special summit could have been joked by recalling the strange situations from the time of the pandemic, this already seems far-fetched. In Brussels, it was about terrorism and mainly about Israel's war against the Palestinian Hamas, classified by the EU, the US and other countries as a terrorist organization, and they were all serious.

Michel: Israel's blockade is not in accordance with international law

With a minute of silence, the heads of state and government commemorated the two Swedes killed on Monday by an Islamist, thought to be from Morocco, who was killed in Brussels. The participants also honored the victims of the Islamist Hamas terrorist attack on Israel ten days ago, as well as the hundreds of victims from among the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. EU Council President Michel and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the statement that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas and other attackers, respecting international law. "Israel's total blockade of the Gaza Strip does not comply with international law," said Charles Michel. Ursula von der Leyen didn't want to put it that way. She instead recommended that a joint declaration of the EU states be read. Michel's criticism is not included in it.

On behalf of the EU, Michel called for water, food and medical care to be provided to the 2.1 million residents of the Gaza Strip, now mostly in the south of the country, after Israel called on them to leave the north.

Basic supply for the civilian population

"It is not contradictory to support Israel and take care of the humanitarian needs of the Palestinians," Ursula von der Leyen said. Therefore, the EU will increase financial support for humanitarian aid, to create an air bridge for the supply of aid. While funding for development assistance for infrastructure and other projects will be reviewed. Not only the EU headquarters in Brussels, but also the member countries should reconsider their aid.

Free the hostages, open the border for foreigners The EU unanimously calls on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of 200 hostages. Egypt is urged to open the Rafah border for the passage of aid to the Gaza Strip. Foreigners should be allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing, Charles Michel called. Dozens of EU citizens are also trapped in the Gaza Strip. For the Palestinians, Egypt will not open the border, because there will be no refugees in the country, said the President of the Council of the EU. Indirectly from Michel's position it was understood that there was some understanding, since many refugees in Egypt would then try to Europe, increasing the pressure of migration.

On behalf of the EU and after the terrorist attacks in France and Belgium in recent days, Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Islamist terror is returning to Europe. "Therefore, it is very important to ease the tensions in the region", stressed Ursula von der Leyen. Israel's pending ground offensive against the Gaza Strip and possible casualties among the civilian population could cause increased tensions and radicalization in Europe, EU diplomats fear.

Hungary's prime minister ignores unity

In their summit statement, EU members emphasize unanimity and determination. Charles Michel drew attention to the fact that similar determination is being shown in support of Ukraine in its struggle for protection from Russia's aggression. But the absence of an EU Prime Minister, the Hungarian Viktor Orban, who is in Beijing shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was not at all in this spirit. Putin and Orban, who continue to maintain close economic ties, met in Beijing at the Silk Road investment summit.

In Brussels, the president of the EU Commission tried to polish this deviant image. She accused Russia of using Israel's war against Hamas for its own propaganda against Ukraine and to discredit Europe. We will stand by Israel and Ukraine at the same time, said Ursula von der Leyen: "Some believe that they can distract us from Ukraine. But we will show them that they are wrong: We will support our friends, as much as they need this."/ DW