Gaza: The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is posing a significant challenge to European unity, as highlighted by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas in her recent address to the European Parliament Plenary.
According to European Union, Kallas emphasized that Europe has been the most active global actor in Gaza, being the largest humanitarian donor and a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian Authority and the two-state solution. Despite these efforts, she acknowledged that the situation demands more action.
Kallas detailed her direct negotiations with counterparts to establish a humanitarian understanding with Israel, citing the departure of a ship carrying 1,200 tonnes of aid from Limassol, Cyprus, in August as a significant step. She expressed gratitude to Cyprus for their contribution but admitted that more needs to be done. Kallas has conducted a comprehensive review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement, proposing options to pressure the Israeli government, although consensus on further actions remains elusive.
The High Representative also highlighted ongoing issues in Gaza, including famine in the north, security concerns for international humanitarian staff, and challenges in aid distribution due to looting. Kallas called for continued diplomatic engagement with Israel and shared updates on extended registration deadlines for international NGOs. While some Member States have taken national measures against Israeli actions, Kallas urged for a unified European approach to effectively influence change.
Kallas stressed the importance of not assigning blame but rather focusing on collective solutions. Despite differing opinions on methods, she noted agreement on key objectives: ending suffering, resolving the conflict, and securing hostage releases. Recent violence, such as the attack in Jerusalem, underscores the ongoing danger in the region. Kallas appealed for the European Parliament’s support to forge a cohesive path forward, emphasizing that unity among Member States is crucial to amplifying the impact of their actions.